Court greenlights Planned Parenthood defunding
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The Trump administration can move ahead with plans to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood affiliates, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.
Why it matters: Planned Parenthood previously warned such a move could lead to the closure of hundreds of clinics nationwide.
Driving the news: The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday stayed a freeze on the defunding plan that a federal judge in Massachusetts imposed in July.
- The appeals court didn't provide an explanation for the 3-0 decision.
- The GOP budget law ended Medicaid payments for one year to abortion providers that received more than $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023, without mentioning Planned Parenthood by name.
- But the reproductive health group said the provision took direct aim at its operations, and that patients would likely suffer adverse health consequences if care is disrupted, including an increase in unintended pregnancies and untreated STIs.
What they're saying: "With this decision, patients and providers are in limbo," Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement.
- "Patients who rely on the essential health care that Planned Parenthood health centers provide, can't plan for their futures, decide where they go for care, or control their lives, bodies, and futures — all because the Trump administration and its backers want to attack Planned Parenthood and shut down health centers.
- Nearly 40% of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts' patients rely on Medicaid, said Dominique Lee, its president and CEO.
- "This ruling is a direct assault on patients' lives," she said.
