Fact Check: South Carolina's governor issued an order to disqualify abortion providers from Medicaid.

Fact Check: South Carolina's Governor Issued an Order to Disqualify Abortion Providers from Medicaid

What We Know

In 2018, South Carolina's Republican Governor, Henry McMaster, issued an executive order that directed the state's health department to classify abortion providers as unqualified to provide family-planning services under Medicaid. This order effectively terminated the enrollment agreements of such providers, including Planned Parenthood, from participating in the state's Medicaid program (source-2, source-6).

The legal battle surrounding this order culminated in a Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2025, which upheld South Carolina's right to restrict Medicaid funds from going to abortion providers. The court ruled 6-3 in favor of the state, stating that neither Planned Parenthood nor its patients could sue to enforce their rights under the Medicaid Act (source-4, source-8).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that South Carolina's governor issued an order to disqualify abortion providers from Medicaid is robust. The executive order issued by Governor McMaster explicitly aimed to prevent any clinics providing abortions from receiving Medicaid funding. This action aligns with broader trends in several Republican-led states attempting to limit access to abortion services by cutting funding to providers like Planned Parenthood (source-2, source-6).

The Supreme Court's ruling further solidified the legality of this action, indicating that the state has the authority to determine which providers are eligible for Medicaid funding. This ruling is significant as it not only affects Planned Parenthood but also sets a precedent for similar actions in other states (source-4, source-8).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Supreme Court ruling being a primary legal document and news articles from reputable outlets providing context and details about the implications of the ruling.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that South Carolina's governor issued an order to disqualify abortion providers from Medicaid is accurate. The executive order from Governor McMaster, along with the subsequent Supreme Court ruling, confirms that the state has taken definitive steps to restrict Medicaid funding to abortion providers, effectively disqualifying them from participation in the program.

Fact Check: South Carolina's governor issued an order to disqualify abortion providers from Medicaid.