At a Glance
- Appeals court allows Trump administration to withhold Medicaid funds from abortion providers after cuts.
- 21 states and the District of Columbia sued; Massachusetts and Maine also involved.
- Planned Parenthood and other clinics face loss of more than $800,000 in 2023.
- Why it matters: The ruling limits access to essential health services for low-income patients.
The federal appeals court’s Tuesday ruling keeps the Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts in place, affecting Planned Parenthood and other clinics across several states. The decision follows a wave of lawsuits from Democratic-leaning states and the clinics themselves, and comes amid broader efforts to restrict abortion-related care.
Court Decision and Legal Context
The court overruled a preliminary injunction that had allowed Planned Parenthood to continue receiving Medicaid reimbursement. The ruling permits the administration to withhold funds from providers that received more than $800,000 in 2023.
- 21 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts.
- A federal judge issued preliminary injunctions in July and December.
- The appeals court overturned the first order on Dec. 12 and put the second order on hold.
Impact on States and Clinics
Massachusetts’ coalition of 21 states and D.C. faced a mixed legal outcome, with the court’s decision overturning the first injunction and suspending the second. Maine Family Planning shut down primary-care operations in October after losing funding, and the clinics ended their lawsuit after a federal judge denied a funding restoration in August.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated:
> “Although we are disappointed in the court’s decision, we remain committed to holding the federal administration accountable and ensuring vulnerable Californians can access the health care they need.”
CEO George Hill said:
> “As the Trump administration has dismantled the nation’s health care system, we have remained focused on delivering high quality care to our patients, particularly those across rural Maine.”
> “Though our lawsuit will not continue, we are not wavering in our commitment to our patients and to advocating for the health care system that Mainers need and deserve.”
Center for Reproductive Rights added:
> “The Trump administration on the other hand has no regard for patients or how the ‘big beautiful bill’ has made healthcare even harder to access in this country.”
State Responses and Funding Efforts
Several states have directed funds to compensate for lost Medicaid payments, including Connecticut’s $8.5 million for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. Connecticut Attorney General William Wong called the ruling a “disappointing setback” and emphasized the need to protect preventive care.
Connecticut Attorney General William Wong said:
> “This defunds essential, preventive healthcare, including cancer screenings, birth control, and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.”
Health and Human Services press secretary Emily Hilliard added:
> “We remain committed to protecting the integrity of Medicaid programs to ensure full compliance with the law.”
Key Takeaways
- The appeals court decision keeps the Trump administration’s Medicaid cuts in place.
- 21 states and the District of Columbia are challenging the cuts, with mixed legal outcomes.
- States are stepping in to provide alternative funding, but access to essential health services remains threatened.
The ruling underscores the ongoing clash over abortion-related care and the role of Medicaid in supporting low-income patients across the country.
