A United States federal judge has ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood, a reproductive health services organization. In a decision on Monday, US District Judge Indira Talwani ruled that Planned Parenthood clinics must continue to receive reimbursements for Medicaid, a government health program for the poor.
Talwani stated in her order that “patients are likely to suffer adverse health consequences where care is disrupted or unavailable.” She emphasized that restricting Planned Parenthood’s ability to provide healthcare services would lead to an increase in unintended pregnancies and attendant complications due to reduced access to effective contraceptives. Additionally, there would be an increase in undiagnosed and untreated sexually transmitted infections.
The lawsuit was filed over a provision in a recent Republican tax and spending bill that cut off Medicaid payments for one year to abortion providers who received more than $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023. Planned Parenthood estimated that this provision could result in the closure of 200 clinics across 24 states, with over one million patients at risk of losing coverage.
Planned Parenthood welcomed the judge’s decision, saying that the preliminary injunction blocks the provision in the reconciliation law that unconstitutionally “defunds” the organization. “This means that patients can use Medicaid at Planned Parenthood health centers, and Planned Parenthood health centers can receive reimbursements for the essential services they provide,” the organization stated.
The Department of Justice had argued that blocking the measure would be an extraordinary move and unjustified. However, Talwani’s order partially granting a preliminary injunction means that Planned Parenthood entities that do not provide abortion services or receive less than $800,000 in annual Medicaid reimbursements will be protected.
The Trump administration is likely to appeal the order to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Planned Parenthood remains hopeful that the judge will take further judicial action down the line, despite acknowledging the partial win. “This isn’t over,” the organization said.