Supreme Court will decide if states can cut Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding

By 
 December 20, 2024

The nation's high court will once again take up the issue of abortion in the form of another case, this time concerning whether Medicaid funding can go toward one of the largest providers of the life-ending procedure in the nation.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court said that it will take into consideration South Carolina's decision to shut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, as MSN reported.

This is the most recent abortion-related case that has been brought before the court since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The court has resolved to hear the state's appeal of a decision made by a lower court over the question of whether or not Medicaid recipients have the right to sue regarding their right to select their own qualified provider.

Arguments regarding the case are scheduled to take place in the spring.

Some State's Steps

In 2018, the state of South Carolina took action to cut off financing to Planned Parenthood, which is an organization that provides women with family planning services rather than abortions.

Medicaid does not cover the cost of abortions, with the exception of situations in which the life of a pregnant woman is in danger or the pregnancy is the consequence of rape or incest among the couple.

According to the group, it receives less than one hundred thousand dollars in South Carolina, which is one of the many conservative states that attempted to stop or restrict the amount of public financing that Planned Parenthood receives.

The decision was halted by lower courts after a challenge was filed by the organization and a patient. The lower courts discovered that federal law states that people have the right to obtain medical treatment at clinics of their own choosing.

On the Organization

Medical services provided by Planned Parenthood include testing for sexually transmitted diseases, cancer screenings, and birth control.

Medicaid, a program that is jointly run by the federal government and the state of South Carolina, provides coverage for medical services to low-income individuals. The organization operates two clinics in South Carolina, which serve hundreds of patients annually.

There are a few exceptions to the rule that prohibits abortion in South Carolina, which is currently in effect around six weeks of pregnancy or when heart activity is found.

The Last Decision's Impact

Since the Supreme Court of the United States abolished constitutional safeguards for abortion in 2022, the majority of states that are ruled by Republicans have taken steps to restrict it.

“Pro-life states like South Carolina should be free to determine that Planned Parenthood and other entities that peddle abortion are not qualified to receive taxpayer funding through Medicaid,” said John Bursch, an attorney with the group Alliance Defending Freedom who is representing the state.

Journalists' attempt to obtain a statement from Planned Parenthood was not immediately returned.

" A free people [claim] their rights, as derived from the laws of nature."
Thomas Jefferson