❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Massachusetts federal judge temporarily blocked a provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” recently signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, that would have halted Medicaid funding to abortion giant Planned Parenthood.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Planned Parenthood, Judge Indira Talwani, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Massachusetts, the ruling was issued Monday, with a hearing set for July 21.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The fight is just beginning, and we look forward to our day in court!” – Planned Parenthood.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling temporarily ensures Medicaid funding continues to Planned Parenthood despite the new federal provision.

Planned Parenthood secured a temporary legal victory late Monday after a Barack Obama-appointed federal judge in Massachusetts moved to block a federal provision barring Medicaid funding for the abortion giant. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling comes despite the provision in question being a part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” recently passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald J. Trump. On the surface, it appears to be a grave encroachment by a federal judge into the powers of the legislative branch.

While the Hyde Amendment already bars most federal dollars from funding abortion services, like those offered by Planned Parenthood, the fungibility of said dollars has allowed the organization to remain a major Medicaid funding recipient. However, under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” healthcare providers who abort babies and received $800,000 or more in Medicaid funding in 2023 are barred from receiving additional funding for one year.

“Defendants, their agents, employees, appointees, successors, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants shall take all steps necessary to ensure that Medicaid funding continues to be disbursed in the customary manner and timeframes to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its members; Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts; and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah,” Judge Talwani wrote in her order which prevents the federal provision, already authorized by Congress, from taking effect for 14 days. Consequently, the judge has scheduled a hearing on the matter for July 21.

Planned Parenthood contends the provision—which does not single the organization out—explicitly targets them for what it maintains are legal activities. However, the nature of the legislative provision is that of a budgetary measure aimed at reducing Medicaid expenditures, and again, it does not single out Planned Parenthood specifically.

U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) slammed the ruling. “What part of the Constitution prohibits Congress from defunding Planned Parenthood?” the Utah Republican wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), continuing: “If any part of the Constitution somehow prohibits Congress from withdrawing federal funding from an entity like Planned Parenthood, I’m not familiar with that provision.”

“Unless I’m missing something, this is an abuse of judicial power,” Lee added.

Notably, the United States Supreme Court already ruled recently that state governments can move to restrict Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.

Image by Robin Marty.

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