The Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Carolina in a case concerning the state’s attempt to defund Planned Parenthood, determining that individual Medicaid patients do not have the right to sue to choose their medical provider. In a 6-3 decision authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, the court stated that federal law does not permit Medicaid enrollees to bring such claims. This ruling supports South Carolina’s actions to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funding, which is primarily aimed at low-income individuals.
Though federal funding for abortion services is already prohibited, conservative opponents have historically targeted Planned Parenthood, arguing that any funding it receives—regardless of its intended use—could support the organization’s broader agenda that advocates for abortion rights. South Carolina’s current laws, including a six-week abortion ban, make the procedure rare in the state. Planned Parenthood operates in Charleston and Columbia, providing various health services, including contraception, cancer screenings, and pregnancy testing, while complying with the state’s new abortion regulations.
The origins of this legal battle trace back to an executive order by Governor Henry McMaster in 2018, forbidding Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic from offering family planning services through Medicaid. A Medicaid-eligible patient, Julie Edwards, joined a lawsuit that claimed her civil rights were being violated. Initially winning in federal court, her case ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority following its 2022 decision reversing the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion rights.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
