Federal judge quickly rules in favor of Planned Parenthood in suit over Medicaid funding

This article was originally published at nevadacurrent.com

A Planned Parenthood clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, is pictured on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch)

Note: Originally published in the Nevada Current; republished here but edited for tone, length and clarity.

WASHINGTON — A U.S. District Court judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, preventing the federal government from withholding Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood for at least two weeks.

The ruling came hours after Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit challenging a provision of the Republican and Trump “Big Beautiful Bill” budget bill passed along party-line votes in both chambers last week.

The law, which took effect when it was signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, includes a provision that prohibits Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood for one year. This restriction would prevent Medicaid enrollees from accessing routine health care services, such as cancer screenings and reproductive health care, at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Federal law already prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services, except in limited circumstances.

Planned Parenthood’s legal filings allege the provision unfairly targets the organization for its advocacy and provision of legal abortion services, which are funded separately from Medicaid. The organization noted that over 1 million Medicaid enrollees visit its clinics annually, and Medicaid reimbursements accounted for more than one-third of its total revenue in fiscal year 2023.

Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued a concise two-page order requiring the Trump administration to submit a status update later this week. A hearing is scheduled later this month to address arguments from both Planned Parenthood and the administration.

The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet responded to requests for comment on the restraining order.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, confirmed the Department of Justice intends to challenge the order, stating, “We’re on it.”

In a joint statement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah expressed relief at the court’s swift action. They argued that the law disproportionately harms Medicaid patients by limiting their access to essential health care services. “No other providers can fully replace the care Planned Parenthood offers,” the statement read. “We look forward to presenting our case in court.”