Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Planned Parenthood Medicaid “Defunding”

Patients can continue to use their Medicaid for services at Planned Parenthood health centers, thanks to a court order signed today by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, stating that the legislation outlined in President Trump’s reconciliation bill is likely unconstitutional, according to a news release.

President Trump’s reconciliation bill includes provisions that prohibit patients from using Medicaid for services for one year at tax-exempt organizations providing abortions that received $800,000 or more in payments from Medicaid in 2023. An earlier version of the bill extended that threshold to providers receiving $1,000,000 or more in 2024, according to KFF. This provision provides $1,000,000 in implementation funding for FY 2026.

Planned Parenthood is one of these organizations, although abortions accounted for only 4% of their health services, according to their 2022-2023 annual report. A majority of Planned Parenthood abortions already do not use federal funds, per the Hyde Amendment, which states that federal funds can only be used for abortion care in cases of rape, incest and life-threatening situations.

“Patients are likely to suffer adverse health consequences where care is disrupted or unavailable,” Talwani said in the order. “In particular, restricting members’ ability to provide healthcare services threatens an increase in unintended pregnancies and attendant complications because of reduced access to effective contraceptives and an increase in undiagnosed and untreated STIs.”

Trump signed the bill into law on July 4, 2025. In response, on July 7, 2025, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, stating that although Planned Parenthood was not mentioned by name in the bill, they were the target nonetheless. Today’s ruling expands on Talwani’s preliminary injunction that restored Medicaid funding for only 10 Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Medicaid is the largest source of health coverage in the United States, providing coverage for nearly 78 million Americans.

More than one million people use Medicaid to get services at Planned Parenthood, including birth control, cancer screenings and STI testing.

There are approximately 600 Planned Parenthood health centers in the United States today, and limiting Planned Parenthood funds would mean that more than 200 clinics in 24 states would be at risk of closure, according to Planned Parenthood. More than 90% of clinics operate in states where abortion is legal, and more than 60% of clinics are also located in medically underserved areas, areas with primary care provider shortages or rural areas.

Thirty-two percent of women and 11% of men have received care at a Planned Parenthood Clinic, according to a KFF survey. Patients primarily used Medicaid to pay for services, the most common including contraceptive services (85%), STI services (57%) and gynecological services and pregnancy testing (47%).

“As this case continues, patients across the country can still go to their trusted Planned Parenthood provider for care using Medicaid,” Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in the news release. “We will keep fighting this cruel law so that everyone can get birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and other critical health care, no matter their insurance.”