A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from enforcing a provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that would have cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. The decision comes after New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 21 other state attorneys general and the governor of Pennsylvania, filed a lawsuit challenging the provision.
The contested measure would have prohibited Medicaid funds from going to non-profit health care clinics that both receive a certain amount of Medicaid funding and provide abortions—criteria that largely apply to Planned Parenthood clinics. The coalition argued that this would disrupt essential health services for millions of low-income patients nationwide.
“This administration’s attempt to target and defund Planned Parenthood is as dangerous as it is illegal,” said Attorney General James. “Planned Parenthood provides invaluable health care services for millions of people throughout the country. I will not allow this administration to threaten New Yorkers’ health care and reproductive freedom with its political games.”
In New York, Planned Parenthood plays a significant role in providing care within the state’s Medicaid network. In 2023, approximately 89,000 Medicaid enrollees in New York received services at Planned Parenthood clinics. The lawsuit contended that enforcing the provision could force states either to block funding for these clinics—potentially leading to closures—or cover costs solely with state funds, resulting in the loss of substantial federal support.
The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted the coalition’s request for an injunction, ordering HHS to continue disbursing Medicaid funds to all affected states and clinics while litigation continues.
States joining New York in this legal action include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin; also participating are the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.
