
Supreme Court says Planned Parenthood can't challenge South Carolina's funding cuts
The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Planned Parenthood from suing South Carolina over the state's decision to pull the organization's Medicaid funding because it provides abortions.
The decision could prompt other red states to target the organization and make it harder for Americans enrolled in the program to choose their doctor.
The decision was yet another loss for Planned Parenthood and its allies at the conservative court, which three years ago wiped away the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade. Though the legal issue at the center of the case was technically not about abortion, the court's decision threatens funding for an organization that is a leading provider of reproductive healthcare.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
At odds over Trump's tax bill, some Senate Republicans turn on chamber's referee
By Bo Erickson and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Struggling to agree on a path forward for President Donald Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, some U.S. Senate Republicans on Thursday turned their anger on the referee charged with ensuring that lawmakers follow their own rules. That pushback came in response to Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough's ruling that some Medicaid policies Republicans are trying to include in the bill do not align with the special budget process the party is using to bypass the chamber's regular vote threshold, which requires 60 of the 100 senators to agree on legislation. "THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN SHOULD BE FIRED ASAP,' Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville posted online, "This is a perfect example of why Americans hate THE SWAMP." Tuberville, a first-term senator who is running for Alabama governor, and Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas joined a vocal group of House of Representatives Republicans calling for the ouster of MacDonough, the first woman to hold this role since it was formalized in 1935. Theirs is a minority view. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune for months has said his party will abide by the parliamentarian's guidance. MacDonough's office did not respond to a request for comment. This is not the first time members of the current Republican congressional majority have attempted to ignore Congress's nonpartisan arbiters. A growing number of Republican senators have ignored the cost estimates of the bill from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimated a price tag with interest costs around $3 trillion. The bill's hefty cost has exposed divides within the party, with some hardline deficit hawks demanding deep cuts to social programs including Medicaid to try to limit the bill's cost, and others warning that those cuts could imperil their narrow majorities in the 2026 midterm elections. MacDonough, a former lawyer, joined the Senate parliamentarian's office in 1999, serving as the head parliamentarian for the last 13 years. MacDonough's critics have dismissed her as "unelected," but it was Congress more than 50 years ago that established the parliamentarian as the referee for the special process known as "budget reconciliation" that bypasses the normal Senate filibuster rule. BYPASSING THE PARTISAN DIVIDE Republicans are pursuing this route -- which they relied on to pass Trump's tax cuts in 2017 during his first term -- because of their narrow majorities in both chambers. Democrats also used the process to pass legislation under President Joe Biden. Some Republicans suggested that MacDonough's ruling had political motives, noting that she was appointed by a Democratic majority leader in 2012. In this position, the parliamentarian is not weighing the merits of the policies, but rather if they fit into the budget reconciliation rules and precedent. MacDonough in 2021 blocked Democratic efforts to pass minimum wage and immigration provisions in the special budget process. This is not the first time this year the parliamentarian has weighed in on the Republicans' tax and budget bill, but the Medicaid and healthcare provisions that she advised on Thursday were seen as opportunities for Republicans to save money in the package that is forecast to add to the nation's $36.2 trillion in debt. Other Senate Republicans are standing by the process and MacDonough. 'I consider the parliamentarian to be a straight shooter. So I don't think there's anything more than it not meeting the standard,' Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, told reporters. 'Nah, never overrule the parliamentarian," Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters on Thursday. Senate Republicans are allowed to tweak these provisions to try to fit the specific budget process precedents and rules, or they could abandon these provisions entirely. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the budget committee's top Democrat, pledged his party will continue "to make the case against every provision in this Big, Beautiful Betrayal of a bill that violates Senate rules and hurts families and workers." Firing a Senate parliamentarian is not without precedent. In 2001 during President George W. Bush's administration, Senate Republican leaders with an evenly divided chamber dismissed the parliamentarian after rulings on the party's budget and tax legislation regarding natural disaster funding.


Forbes
10 minutes ago
- Forbes
Mushroom Supplements: Benefits, Risks And When To Avoid
Despite rising popularity, you may wonder whether mushroom supplements can benefit your health. 'They [may]—depending on the type, the dose and the quality of the supplement,' says Jaclyn London, a registered dietitian based in New York City. When it comes to existing research, ' Lion's mane tends to lead the pack, with the most consistent human research supporting cognitive and mood-related benefits,' says London. Reishi and cordyceps are often marketed for energy , immune and anti-aging effects—but most of that data comes from animal and in vitro studies and lacks clinical trial data, she adds. Like all supplements, mushrooms can't replace a healthy diet. 'Promising doesn't mean proven—and a supplement should never be a substitute for a balanced, fiber-rich diet,' says London. While the therapeutic properties of mushrooms aren't fully understood and more research is needed to confirm benefits and determine safety and dosage, mushroom supplements may promote health in some ways. May Help Fight Infections and Reduce Inflammation Acute inflammation combats infection and promotes tissue repair and regeneration, but if it doesn't resolve quickly, the inflammation can become chronic and lead to disease. Some research indicates that mushrooms may be beneficial in fighting infections and reducing inflammation. A randomized controlled clinical trial in Scientific Reports involving 40 participants showed that a drink made with 2.85 milligrams of Cordyceps militaris mushrooms boosted immune cells called natural killer cells—which help fight infections—in men and women. The mushroom drink also lowered some inflammation markers in participants, according to the 2024 study. May Support Immune Function and Help Individuals With Cancer People undergoing cancer treatments often face reduced immunity. Some preliminary research has shown that medicinal mushrooms may help support the immune system and lead to improved quality of life. A 2020 review of eight studies that looked into five mushroom types— Agaricus sylvaticus, Agaricus blazei murill, Antrodia cinnamomea, Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum —showed that mushrooms taken orally in combination with conventional cancer treatments, primarily chemotherapy, might improve quality of life and reduce some of the adverse effects of these therapies. The review also suggested these mushrooms may affect antitumor activity and immune system function, but further research is needed. Meanwhile, a 2023 systematic review examined 39 studies that included 12 different mushroom preparations and found that certain mushrooms offered possible survival benefits for people with liver, breast and gastric cancers, and that mushrooms benefited the immune system and improved quality of life and symptoms. However, many of the reviewed studies were small, and the evidence wasn't sufficiently robust to recommend mushroom supplements for all cancer patients. May Improve Cognitive Function While scientists continue to search for cures for Alzheimer's disease , some research shows that medicinal mushrooms may lead to improved cognition in people with this condition—though additional research into how mushrooms support cognitive health is needed. A 49-week study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that people with mild Alzheimer's disease who took daily capsules containing lion's mane mushroom extract showed improved cognition and better daily living skills than those given a placebo. Additionally, biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease declined in the placebo group but either remained stable or improved in the group that took the lion's mane extract. Potential Side Effects of Mushroom Supplements Mushroom supplements are not known to cause side effects in healthy adults, says Hill, though they may not be well tolerated by individuals with a mushroom allergy. Taking more than the recommended amount on the supplement label may lead to stomach discomfort, nausea and dizziness, says Hill. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other supplements and medications should speak with a health care professional prior to using a mushroom supplement. Discover Promising Longevity Benefits We formulated Transparent Labs Mushroom Stack with organic reishi, lion's mane, and Cordyceps sinensis - three of the most promising medicinal mushrooms on the planet. he mushrooms in TL Mushroom Stack are packed with bioactive constituents that promote overall health and longevity. Shop Now On Transparent Labs's Website

Politico
13 minutes ago
- Politico
Former Supreme Court Justice Kennedy says ‘democracy is at risk'
Former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy warned Thursday that acrimonious political discourse and threats to judges are eroding the ability of the United States to serve as an example of democracy worldwide. 'Many in the rest of the world look to the United States to see what democracy is, to see what democracy ought to be,' Kennedy said during an online forum about threats to the rule of law. 'If they see a hostile, fractious discourse, if they see a discourse that uses identity politics rather than to talk about issues, democracy is at risk. Freedom is at risk.' Kennedy, who stepped down from the court in 2018, avoided specifics during his 10-minute speech as part of a series of presentations by current and former judges. However, the Reagan appointee's remarks appeared to be triggered at least in part by strident attacks President Donald Trump has mounted against judges, including some whom he appointed during his first term, who have ruled against the administration's policies on immigration, firings of federal workers and his implementation of broad-based tariffs. In March, Trump attacked U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg as a 'radical left lunatic' after he attempted to block the administration from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members under a wartime presidential power Trump invoked. Trump also called for Boasberg, an Obama appointee, to be impeached. Last month, Trump issued a social media post denouncing 'USA-hating' judges as 'monsters who want our country to go to hell.' The extreme rhetoric has come alongside a spike in threats against judges, although administration spokespeople have said the president opposes any threats and the Justice Department will prosecute them. 'Judges must have protection for themselves and their families,' Kennedy said. 'Our families are often included in threats.' Some other participants were more explicit in calling out Trump's salvos at the courts. While also not mentioning Trump by name, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas invoked the president's statements more directly, arguing they are akin to attacks on judges that have caused other countries to slide into authoritarianism. 'Judges are rogue. Sound familiar? Judges are corrupt. Sound familiar? Judges are monsters. … Judges hate America,' Salas said. 'We are seeing the spreading of disinformation coming from the top down.' Salas, whose son was killed and her husband wounded by a disgruntled litigant at their New Jersey home in 2020, said the U.S. Marshals Service has tracked more than 400 threats against judges so far this year. 'We're going to break records — and not in a good way,' said the judge, an Obama appointee. In his remarks Thursday, one day before his former Supreme Court colleagues are set to deliver their final rulings of the current term, Kennedy did offer some indirect praise for Trump. The retired justice repeatedly said he welcomed the ceasefire in fighting between Israel and Iran — a deal brokered by the White House. 'The world is celebrating what looks like, what we hope might be, peace for a period of time in the Middle East,' Kennedy said. 'Peace is what gives us the opportunity to make democracy stronger, to make freedom more attainable, to make freedom greater for ourselves and the rest of the world. We must always say no to tyranny and yes to truth.'