A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to temporarily halt Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, a decision that could put over 1 million patients at risk of losing access to essential healthcare services.
The ruling follows a provision tucked inside Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which stops Medicaid payments for one year to any abortion provider receiving more than $800,000 in federal funds—even if that provider also offers non-abortion services like cancer screenings, STD testing, and birth control.
Planned Parenthood, which operates hundreds of clinics nationwide, says the court’s move will jeopardize care for those who need it most. According to the organization, the decision threatens the closure of nearly 200 clinics, primarily in underserved areas.
“While the Trump administration wants to rip away reproductive freedom, we’re here to say loud and clear: We will not back down,” said Dominique Lee, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “This is not over.”
The lawsuit, filed by Planned Parenthood branches in Massachusetts and Utah, names Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a defendant. The department has not issued a public response to the court ruling.
Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups are applauding the administration’s stance. “The Trump Administration is ending the forced use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion,” a White House official said. “A commonsense position that the overwhelming majority of Americans agree with.”
Planned Parenthood insists the fight continues and vows to protect access to care for millions who depend on it.
