Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to Enforce Planned Parenthood Medicaid Funding Restriction

A U.S. appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to move forward with enforcing a provision of its tax and domestic policy law that cuts off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood health centers that perform abortions in several Democratic-led states. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the administration’s request to pause an injunction issued by a lower court judge who had previously blocked the law across 22 states and Washington, D.C. The decision marks the latest reversal of rulings by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, who had earlier found the law unconstitutional in a separate Planned Parenthood case.

The disputed provision is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by a Republican-controlled Congress, which bars Medicaid funding for tax-exempt organizations that provide reproductive health and family-planning services if they perform abortions and received more than $800,000 in Medicaid funds during fiscal year 2023. Planned Parenthood has argued that the measure was written to target the organization specifically and says the law has already contributed to the closure of at least 20 of its health centers since being signed in July. While Planned Parenthood did not comment on the latest ruling, California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who co-led the challenge alongside counterparts in New York and Connecticut — called the outcome disappointing but vowed to continue working to protect healthcare access for vulnerable residents.

Judge Talwani had previously ruled that the states were likely to prove the law imposed an unconstitutional retroactive condition on Medicaid participation and failed to give clear notice about which entities would be affected. However, the three-judge appeals panel — all appointed by Democratic presidents — concluded the administration is likely to succeed in arguing that the law is unambiguous and within Congress’ authority to enact, clearing the way for enforcement while the case proceeds.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright