Fact Check: Provisions Blocking Planned Parenthood Medicaid Funding Still Under Review
What We Know
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that states have the authority to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the country. This decision, made on June 26, 2025, allows states to cut off Medicaid funds for health services provided by Planned Parenthood, including contraception and cancer screenings, even though public health care funds cannot be used for abortions in most cases (AP News, Washington Post). The ruling was a 6-3 decision, with the conservative justices in favor and the liberal justices dissenting, indicating a significant ideological divide on the court regarding health care access and reproductive rights (NPR, PBS).
The case arose from South Carolina's decision to terminate Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, which had been a long-standing provider of non-abortion health care services. The Supreme Court's ruling effectively limits the ability of Medicaid patients to sue states to enforce their right to choose their health care provider, a right that had been argued under the Medicaid Act (AP News, Washington Post).
Analysis
The Supreme Court's ruling has significant implications for Medicaid recipients, particularly in South Carolina, where the state has already enacted a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy (Washington Post). Critics of the ruling, including Planned Parenthood officials, argue that it will severely limit access to essential health services for low-income individuals who rely on Medicaid for care (NPR). The dissenting justices highlighted concerns that this decision would lead to tangible harm for Medicaid recipients, stripping them of their ability to choose their health care providers (AP News).
The majority opinion, authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, emphasized that the decision on whether to allow private enforcement of Medicaid rights is a policy question best left to elected representatives rather than the courts (NPR). This perspective raises concerns about accountability and access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations who may not have alternative options for health services (PBS).
The ruling has been framed within a broader political context, as it aligns with ongoing efforts by Republican lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood and restrict access to reproductive health services (AP News, Washington Post). The potential for other states to follow South Carolina's lead in cutting Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood could create a patchwork of access to health care across the country, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals in states with restrictive policies (NPR, PBS).
Conclusion
The claim that "provisions blocking Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding still under review" is True. The recent Supreme Court ruling has confirmed that states can legally block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, effectively ending the organization's ability to receive such funding in South Carolina and potentially other states. This decision reflects a significant shift in the legal landscape regarding Medicaid funding and reproductive health care access, with implications that are still unfolding.
