Planned Parenthood got a win in a Massachusetts court on Monday when a judge determined that the Trump administration could not stop Medicaid funding from going to the abortion provider. The provision to halt those funds was part of the Big Beautiful Bill that Congress passed and Trump signed into law last week.
Judge Indira Talwani blocked the provision that removes "one year of Medicaid payments from Planned Parenthood health centers because the organization also provides abortions," Fox News reports. The abortions at issue are those that are elective. The order from Talwani is for 14 days. A hearing is set for July 21.
Planned Parenthood brought suit against the Trump administration on Monday following the passage of the bill. One suit was brought by the group in Utah and another in Massachusetts. "The prohibition specifically targets Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its member health care providers in order to punish them for lawful activity, namely advocating for and providing legal abortion access wholly outside the Medicaid program and without using any federal funds," said the suit.
Judge Talwani, who issued the ruling, was also responsible for blocking the Department of Homeland Security from revoking the temporary protected status for many migrants in the US. The Supreme Court later said DHS could go ahead with the terminations.
The Trump administration told Fox News that they were committed to putting a stop to federal funds going toward elective abortions, either in practice or promotion.
The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funds from going to abortion, but the new change "would prevent providers that offer abortion services and received over $800,000 or more in federal Medicaid funding in 2023 from receiving Medicaid funding for other kinds of care for one year," ABC noted.
"Defendants, their agents, employees, appointees, successors, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants shall take all steps necessary to ensure that Medicaid funding continues to be disbursed in the customary manner and timeframes to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its members; Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts; and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah," Talwani wrote.
"We're grateful that the court acted swiftly to block this unconstitutional law attacking Planned Parenthood providers and patients," Planned Parenthood said in a statement.
"The fight is just beginning, and we look forward to our day in court!"
