Supreme Court takes up bid to defund Planned Parenthood
The battle over taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood takes center stage at the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday in a dispute over South Carolina's exclusion of the group from the state Medicaid program because it provides abortions.
On the line is the ability of Medicaid beneficiaries to freely choose a healthcare provider, including physicians at Planned Parenthood who provide services other than abortion, like contraception treatments and cancer screenings.
South Carolina's two Planned Parenthood clinics have served mostly low-income, minority women for more than 40 years. Hundreds of their patients are Medicaid recipients.
The case also implicates the millions of federal dollars Planned Parenthood receives in the form of reimbursements for treating Medicaid patients each year.
According to Planned Parenthood, 34% of its overall revenue, or $699 million, comes from government grants, contracts, and Medicaid funds.
In 2018, South Carolina's Republican governor Henry McMaster issued executive orders disqualifying Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for non-abortion services.
Julie Edwards, a Medicaid beneficiary and type-1 diabetic who sought medical care at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia, SC, sued the state alleging a violation of the Medicaid Act, which guarantees a "free choice of provider" that is willing and qualified.
"Medicaid beneficiaries often face significant barriers to obtaining care, particularly in South Carolina. Twenty-five percent of state residents live in medically underserved areas," the plaintiffs wrote in their brief to the high court.
"[Congress] enacted the free-choice-of-provider provision to ensure that Medicaid patients, like everyone else, can choose their own doctor," they wrote. "Congress specifically enacted this provision in response to some States' efforts to restrict Medicaid patients' choice of provider."
The state argues that Congress never intended to give individuals the right to sue over access to a particular provider and that there are plenty of other clinics available to serve Medicaid recipients.
"Congress wanted states to have substantial discretion to innovate with their Medicaid programs," the state wrote in its brief to the high court. Allowing individuals to sue over access to specific providers would "subject the state to unanticipated (and expensive) lawsuits."
While federal law already prohibits any government funding of abortions, South Carolina contends it has the right to target non-abortion funding to abortion providers. "Because money is fungible, giving Medicaid dollars to abortion facilities frees up their other funds to provide more abortions," the state told the court.
"[Planned Parenthood] can restore Medicaid funding if it stops performing abortions— but it has chosen not to do so," South Carolina wrote.
If the justices allow the suit to go forward, Edwards and Planned Parenthood can continue to challenge the clinics' exclusion from the state's Medicaid program in a lower court.
If the justices side with the state, they would bolster efforts to cut off Planned Parenthood from sources of government funding and effectively limit the number of providers available to Medicaid recipients.
A decision in the case is expected by the end of the Court's term in June.
Supreme Court takes up bid to defund Planned Parenthood originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Trump's DC military parade 2025: Start times, schedule, route, map, how to watch
President Donald Trump's multi-million dollar festival and parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army kicked off Saturday morning, June 14, and will continue late into the evening, rain or shine, the White House says. The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade will conclude a day-long festival, full of music, fireworks and a fitness competition. The pomp and circumstance also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. "For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America's Army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home," Trump said in a video posted to Truth Social in early June. "This parade salutes our soldiers' remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won't want to miss it. Just don't miss this one. It's going to be good." Here's everything to know about the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade. The military parade and festival celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted to establish the Continental Army, organizers say, marking the creation of America's first national military force more than a year before the Declaration of Independence. With Trump arriving at the parade early, the event began at 6 p.m. ET. Trump arrived at his viewing stand to watch the parade at 5:43 p.m. ET, about half an hour earlier than originally scheduled, as evening rain and thunderstorms are anticipated. The president will watch the parade alongside some of his Cabinet members, Republican lawmakers and other top allies. It is unclear if the 7:45 p.m. end time will change as a result of the weather. Here's a look at the full festival schedule*, per the U.S. Army: *The times listed in the above schedule are in eastern time. The parade will take place along Constitution Avenue NW, starting on Constitution Avenue NW and 23rd Street and ending on 15th Street alongside the National Mall, near the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is next to the Smithsonian Metro Station NW entrance, which will be closed, organizers say, though the Smithsonian Metro Station SW entrance will be open. Yes, the military parade is free. Tickets are not required, but those who register on the U.S. Army event website may get a good view of the procession. Prospective attendees will need to provide their full name, phone number, email and address. Attendees are limited to two RSVPs per phone number. To learn more or RSVP, visit A full list of road closures is available here. USA TODAY will stream the military parade on its YouTube channel. The livestream is also at the top of this story. A full round-up of TV broadcast plans, including CNN, NBC and Fox News, can be found here. Officials initially estimated the Army Birthday Festival and parade would range in cost from $25 million to $45 million, but the Army's latest estimate totaled $40 million, as USA TODAY's Tom Vanden Brook previously reported, citing a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Trump has said that the Saturday parade will go on, rain or shine, even though the National Weather Service's forecast, as of Friday afternoon, showed a 60% chain of rain. "I hope the weather's okay, but actually if it's not, that brings you good luck, and that's okay, too," Trump said on June 12, during the congressional picnic at the White House. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't affect the tanks at all, it doesn't affect the soldiers. They're used to it. They're tough. Smart." The last major military parade, the National Victory Celebration, was held on June 8, 1991 to celebrate the end of the Gulf War. Contributing: Joey Garrison, Tom Vanden Brook, Amaris Encinas and Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Trump's DC military parade 2025: Start times, schedule, route, map, how to watch
President Donald Trump's multi-million dollar festival and parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army kicked off Saturday morning, June 14, and will continue late into the evening, rain or shine, the White House says. The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade will conclude a day-long festival, full of music, fireworks and a fitness competition. The pomp and circumstance also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. "For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America's Army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home," Trump said in a video posted to Truth Social in early June. "This parade salutes our soldiers' remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won't want to miss it. Just don't miss this one. It's going to be good." Here's everything to know about the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade. The military parade and festival celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted to establish the Continental Army, organizers say, marking the creation of America's first national military force more than a year before the Declaration of Independence. With Trump arriving at the parade early, the event began at 6 p.m. ET. Trump arrived at his viewing stand to watch the parade at 5:43 p.m. ET, about half an hour earlier than originally scheduled, as evening rain and thunderstorms are anticipated. The president will watch the parade alongside some of his Cabinet members, Republican lawmakers and other top allies. It is unclear if the 7:45 p.m. end time will change as a result of the weather. Here's a look at the full festival schedule*, per the U.S. Army: *The times listed in the above schedule are in eastern time. The parade will take place along Constitution Avenue NW, starting on Constitution Avenue NW and 23rd Street and ending on 15th Street alongside the National Mall, near the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is next to the Smithsonian Metro Station NW entrance, which will be closed, organizers say, though the Smithsonian Metro Station SW entrance will be open. Yes, the military parade is free. Tickets are not required, but those who register on the U.S. Army event website may get a good view of the procession. Prospective attendees will need to provide their full name, phone number, email and address. Attendees are limited to two RSVPs per phone number. To learn more or RSVP, visit A full list of road closures is available here. USA TODAY will stream the military parade on its YouTube channel. The livestream is also at the top of this story. A full round-up of TV broadcast plans, including CNN, NBC and Fox News, can be found here. Officials initially estimated the Army Birthday Festival and parade would range in cost from $25 million to $45 million, but the Army's latest estimate totaled $40 million, as USA TODAY's Tom Vanden Brook previously reported, citing a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Trump has said that the Saturday parade will go on, rain or shine, even though the National Weather Service's forecast, as of Friday afternoon, showed a 60% chain of rain. "I hope the weather's okay, but actually if it's not, that brings you good luck, and that's okay, too," Trump said on June 12, during the congressional picnic at the White House. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't affect the tanks at all, it doesn't affect the soldiers. They're used to it. They're tough. Smart." The last major military parade, the National Victory Celebration, was held on June 8, 1991 to celebrate the end of the Gulf War. Contributing: Joey Garrison, Tom Vanden Brook, Amaris Encinas and Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
2 hours ago
Medicaid enrollees fear losing health coverage if Congress enacts work requirements
It took Crystal Strickland years to qualify for Medicaid, which she needs for a heart condition. Strickland, who's unable to work due to her condition, chafed when she learned that the U.S. House has passed a bill that would impose a work requirement for many able-bodied people to get health insurance coverage through the low-cost, government-run plan for lower-income people. 'What sense does that make?' she asked. 'What about the people who can't work but can't afford a doctor?' The measure is part of the version of President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful' bill that cleared the House last month and is now up for consideration in the Senate. Trump is seeking to have it passed by July 4. The bill as it stands would cut taxes and government spending — and also upend portions of the nation's social safety net. For proponents, the ideas behind the work requirement are simple: Crack down on fraud and stand on the principle that taxpayer-provided health coverage isn't for those who can work but aren't. The measure includes exceptions for those who are under 19 or over 64, those with disabilities, pregnant women, main caregivers for young children, people recently released from prisons or jails — or during certain emergencies. It would apply only to adults who receive Medicaid through expansions that 40 states chose to undertake as part of the 2010 health insurance overhaul. Many details of how the changes would work would be developed later, leaving several unknowns and causing anxiety among recipients who worry that their illnesses might not be enough to exempt them. Advocates and sick and disabled enrollees worry — based largely on their past experience — that even those who might be exempted from work requirements under the law could still lose benefits because of increased or hard-to-meet paperwork mandates. Strickland, a 44-year-old former server, cook and construction worker who lives in Fairmont, North Carolina, said she could not afford to go to a doctor for years because she wasn't able to work. She finally received a letter this month saying she would receive Medicaid coverage, she said. 'It's already kind of tough to get on Medicaid,' said Strickland, who has lived in a tent and times and subsisted on nonperishable food thrown out by stores. 'If they make it harder to get on, they're not going to be helping.' Steve Furman is concerned that his 43-year-old son, who has autism, could lose coverage. The bill the House adopted would require Medicaid enrollees to show that they work, volunteer or go to school at least 80 hours a month to continue to qualify. A disability exception would likely apply to Furman's son, who previously worked in an eyeglasses plant in Illinois for 15 years despite behavioral issues that may have gotten him fired elsewhere. Furman said government bureaucracies are already impossible for his son to navigate, even with help. It took him a year to help get his son onto Arizona's Medicaid system when they moved to Scottsdale in 2022, and it took time to set up food benefits. But he and his wife, who are retired, say they don't have the means to support his son fully. 'Should I expect the government to take care of him?' he asked. 'I don't know, but I do expect them to have humanity.' About 71 million adults are enrolled in Medicaid now. And most of them — around 92% — are working, caregiving, attending school or disabled. Earlier estimates of the budget bill from the Congressional Budget Office found that about 5 million people stand to lose coverage. A KFF tracking poll conducted in May found that the enrollees come from across the political spectrum. About one-fourth are Republicans; roughly one-third are Democrats. The poll found that about 7 in 10 adults are worried that federal spending reductions on Medicaid will lead to more uninsured people and would strain health care providers in their area. About half said they were worried reductions would hurt the ability of them or their family to get and pay for health care. Amaya Diana, an analyst at KFF, points to work requirements launched in Arkansas and Georgia as keeping people off Medicaid without increasing employment. Amber Bellazaire, a policy analyst at the Michigan League for Public Policy, said the process to verify that Medicaid enrollees meet the work requirements could be a key reason people would be denied or lose eligibility. 'Massive coverage losses just due to an administrative burden rather than ineligibility is a significant concern,' she said. One KFF poll respondent, Virginia Bell, a retiree in Starkville, Mississippi, said she's seen sick family members struggle to get onto Medicaid, including one who died recently without coverage. She said she doesn't mind a work requirement for those who are able — but worries about how that would be sorted out. 'It's kind of hard to determine who needs it and who doesn't need it,' she said. Lexy Mealing, 54 of Westbury, New York, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgeries, said she fears she may lose the medical benefits she has come to rely on, though people with 'serious or complex' medical conditions could be granted exceptions. She now works about 15 hours a week in 'gig' jobs but isn't sure she can work more as she deals with the physical and mental toll of the cancer. Mealing, who used to work as a medical receptionist in a pediatric neurosurgeon's office before her diagnosis and now volunteers for the American Cancer Society, went on Medicaid after going on short-term disability. 'I can't even imagine going through treatments right now and surgeries and the uncertainty of just not being able to work and not have health insurance,' she said. Felix White, who has Type I diabetes, first qualified for Medicaid after losing his job as a computer programmer several years ago. The Oreland, Pennsylvania, man has been looking for a job, but finds that at 61, it's hard to land one. Medicaid, meanwhile, pays for a continuous glucose monitor and insulin and funded foot surgeries last year, including one that kept him in the hospital for 12 days. 'There's no way I could have afforded that,' he said. 'I would have lost my foot and probably died.'
