• The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering if states should have the authority to block Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood due to the organization providing abortion services.

  • Additionally, the Trump administration has put a temporary hold on $27 million in Title X family planning funds that were intended for Planned Parenthood.

  • Experts argue that these cuts in funding will diminish the healthcare services available through the organization, most notably affecting those in low-income and rural communities.

The U.S. Supreme Court is evaluating states’ ability to refuse Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood.

On April 2, the Supreme Court heard arguments from a case originating in South Carolina, where state officials have ruled out Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood due to the abortion services provided at their facilities.

A decision from the justices could come as soon as June. Presently, the court seems split on the matter, reports the Associated Press.

The legal issue at hand is whether Medicaid recipients can sue if they are denied the right to choose their healthcare provider.

If South Carolina’s stance is upheld, it could severely limit healthcare options for Medicaid recipients, many of whom find it difficult to locate healthcare providers that accept Medicaid outside of Planned Parenthood.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, stressed on Crooked Media’s “What a Day” podcast that the Supreme Court’s decision could impact whether Medicaid users can contest policies that restrict their ability to choose their healthcare provider using government insurance.

This court deliberation follows shortly after the Trump administration’s announcement that it is withholding a significant amount of Title X funding from Planned Parenthood while investigating whether the organization has violated federal civil rights laws and certain executive orders by President Donald Trump.

The outcomes of both the court’s decision and the Title X funding freeze are expected to be far-reaching.

“The consequences could be substantial,” Theresa Cheng, MD, an assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine at the University of California San Francisco, told Healthline. “Planned Parenthood serves as an essential provider of basic reproductive health for numerous low-income individuals.”

Cynthia Plotch, co-founder of Winx Health, emphasized to Healthline the danger of continuing to defund organizations like Planned Parenthood, especially as it leaves countless individuals without necessary health resources. She highlighted the importance of ongoing advocacy for access to education and healthcare solutions.

Medicaid and Planned Parenthood

Since its inception in 1977, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited the allocation of federal funds for abortion services, with some exceptions.

Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report shows that in 2023, they performed 392,000 abortions across nearly 600 health centers.

These procedures were part of over 9 million health services provided to 2 million people that year, which included over 4 million STI tests and treatments, and more than 2 million birth control services. Additionally, over 400,000 pap smears and breast exams were conducted.

Moreover, over a million individuals utilized Planned Parenthood for education, programming, outreach, and training purposes.

About 34% of Planned Parenthood’s revenue, nearly $700 million, is derived from Medicaid, government grants, and contracts.

Experts warn that cutting off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood could severely restrict the range of health services they offer, particularly affecting low-income populations that rely on Medicaid.

“This could severely limit access for many patients to services that are unrelated to abortion,” Lisa Valle, DO, OB-GYN and medical director of Oasis Women’s Sexual Function Center in Santa Monica, CA, told Healthline.

“People depend on Planned Parenthood for more than just reproductive care; they are also vital for life-saving cancer screenings,” added Plotch. “Restricting funding will devastate our communities, leaving many without alternatives. The stark reality is that when women are unaware of their options, they cannot access them. We have seen the consequences of women’s health being marginalized and discussed only in hushed tones.”

Planned Parenthood and Title X Funds

Title X has been a crucial source of funding for family planning services for over five decades.

It supports a variety of services including birth control, pregnancy testing, help with conception, and infertility treatments.

The Trump administration has temporarily halted $27 million in Title X funds to Planned Parenthood due to potential violations of executive orders that restrict promotions based on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prevent the use of taxpayer funds for promoting open borders.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has allowed Planned Parenthood 10 days to respond to these allegations.

Experts believe this reduction in funding could have widespread effects.

“This endangers the health and welfare of families nationwide and creates turmoil for both providers and patients,” Cheng noted.

“For many, Planned Parenthood is their sole healthcare provider,” Valle remarked.

“Title X funding is crucial for services like cervical and breast cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and HIV services. Clinics that depend on this funding might have to reduce preventive care, which could lead to higher rates of undiagnosed conditions,” Plotch explained.

“Simply put, cutting Title X funds poses a significant threat to reproductive health care access, especially for low-income women, people in rural areas, and marginalized communities,” Plotch concluded. “This will result in poorer health outcomes, more unintended pregnancies, and increased health disparities across the nation. We deserve better.”