BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules States Can Deny Medicaid Funding to Planned Parenthood
SCOTUS paves the way for states to defund Planned Parenthood and deny millions of Americans essential reproductive care
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that allows states to block people relying on Medicaid from choosing Planned Parenthood as their trusted health care provider. Nearly three years to the day after the deadly Dobbs decision, the Court dealt yet another blow to abortion rights and reproductive health care – specifically, the freedom of millions of people who use Medicaid to choose Planned Parenthood as their health care provider. The decision comes as anti-abortion extremists double down on efforts to restrict access nationwide.
KEY POINTS
Medicaid is a critical source of health coverage for over 70 million people in America. It is also extremely popular — According to recent data from Navigator Research, an overwhelming majority of Americans have a favorable view of Medicaid.
Nearly 17 million women of reproductive age receive health coverage through Medicaid, and more than 40% of births in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid.
Excluding Planned Parenthood from Medicaid means millions of people won’t be able to see their trusted provider for birth control, STI testing and treatment, annual exams, and cancer screenings.
“Today’s decision from the Supreme Court puts millions of Americans' essential right to reproductive care at risk,” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “Almost three years to the day after the deadly Dobbs decision, conservatives have once again used the highest court in the land to effectively ban access abortion care, all while Republicans in Congress are trying to gut Medicaid for millions more Americans. This decision will devastate communities across the country.”
The decision, penned by conservative Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch solidifies efforts in South Carolina to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funding. But, Medina v. Planned Parenthood is part of a larger, coordinated attack on Medicaid, Title X, Planned Parenthood, and other health care providers that offer abortion and reproductive health care. The consequences of this case could lead to other restrictions that strip access to other abortion and reproductive health care and jeopardize a person’s right to see any health care provider of their choice.
If you are interested in speaking with patient storytellers or health care providers who may be impacted by this decision, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.