Individual Medicaid patients cannot sue to enforce their right to choose a provider in some circumstances, the Supreme Court concluded Thursday, supporting South Carolina's effort to shut off Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood.

The state, supported by the Trump administration, was favored by the court in a 6-3 ruling that followed ideological lines, as The Hill reported.

Medicaid recipients' "right" to choose their preferred healthcare provider and the ability to sue in the event that they are unable to do so was the subject of the action, not abortion access.

According to the statute, "any individual" covered by Medicaid "may obtain" medical treatment from any practitioner who is both qualified and willing to do so.

Majority Decision

Medicaid users do not currently have the legal authority to initiate legal proceedings in order to uphold that clause, according to Justice Neil Gorsuch's majority opinion.

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) of South Carolina issued a statement Thursday praising the verdict.

“Seven years ago, we took a stand to protect the sanctity of life and defend South Carolina’s authority and values – and today, we are finally victorious,” he said.

The decision clears the path for the state to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.

Where It's Applicable

This verdict may serve as an example for other states, while it solely affects South Carolina (where abortion is already illegal after six weeks of gestation.

Planned Parenthood has publicly stated its expectation that numerous other Republican-led states would follow suit in the event that the Supreme Court upheld South Carolina's decision, joining the ranks of Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri in blocking Medicaid consumers from accessing the organization's services.

Medicaid cannot cover the cost of abortions, but states are also seeking to reduce funding for other services provided by Planned Parenthood.

The issue revolves around McMaster's 2018 executive order that directed the state's Department of Health and Human Services to classify abortion facilities as "unqualified" to offer Medicaid family planning services.

Current Services

Two of the state's health centers are run by Planned Parenthood. Screenings for cancer, yearly physicals, birth contraception, and STD testing and treatment are among the non-abortion services it offers.

However, according to McMaster's edict, taxpayer money should not be given to Planned Parenthood as it also provides abortions.

According to South Carolina, Planned Parenthood is able to "free up their other funds to provide more abortions" with the money they get from other health services.

Claiming that the order infringed upon federal law, which permits Medicaid patients to receive care from any qualified provider of their choosing, Planned Parenthood and one of its patients filed a lawsuit.