Judge blocks Medicaid funding ban for some Planned Parenthood locations

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction late Monday night blocking Medicaid funding cuts for some Planned Parenthood locations. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling stalled the Trump administration from enforcing the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’s prohibition on Medicaid funding for abortions. The latest injunction will protect some Planned Parenthood members from the new Medicaid funding ban while the group’s legal challenge to the law continues in court.

Why does the order only block cuts for some Planned Parenthood members? Talwani’s latest ruling only protected Planned Parenthood locations barred from providing abortions by pro-life state laws that protect the unborn. The ban on Medicaid funds would also not apply to Planned Parenthood members that received less than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023, according to the injunction. The order will not stop the Trump administration from removing Medicaid eligibility from other Planned Parenthood locations while the abortion giant’s legal challenge continues in court. However, that may change if and when the court responds to Planned Parenthood’s injunction requests for those other members.

How has Planned Parenthood responded? The Planned Parenthood Federation of America issued a statement Monday night insisting its fight was not over. Pro-abortion advocates were glad the court recognized the law’s harm, but disappointed it didn’t protect all Planned Parenthood members, according to the statement. Planned Parenthood should be able to provide birth control, cancer screenings, and other treatment to patients across the nation regardless of their insurance, the statement continued. Advocates remain hopeful that future rulings will protect all Planned Parenthood locations, the statement read.

Supporters of the Medicaid funding cuts point out that federal law already prohibits healthcare providers from using federal funds for abortions. They add that states should be allowed to decide on their own how to best use Medicaid funding.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report on a previous injunction from Talwani in the case.