Judge temporarily pauses Trump administration's Planned Parenthood funding ban
Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued the temporary restraining order, directing the Health and Human Services Department to "take all steps necessary to ensure that Medicaid funding continues to be disbursed in the customary manner and timeframes" to Planned Parenthood.
The order will remain in effect for 14 days, and the judge will hear arguments on July 21 on whether to grant a longer pause on a provision of the administration's "big, beautiful bill," which President Donald Trump signed into law on Friday.
"We're grateful that the court acted swiftly to block this unconstitutional law attacking Planned Parenthood providers and patients," Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah said in a joint statement.
"Already, in states across the country, providers and health center staff have been forced to turn away patients who use Medicaid to get basic sexual and reproductive health care because President Trump and his backers in Congress passed a law to block them from going to Planned Parenthood," the statement said. "There are no other providers who can fill the gap if the 'defunding' of Planned Parenthood is allowed to stand. The fight is just beginning, and we look forward to our day in court."
The provision bans state Medicaid funding to healthcare groups "primarily engaged" in family planning services, reproductive health, and related medical care, including abortions, for one year.
Federal law prohibits healthcare providers from using federal Medicaid funds for abortions, unless the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother or is a result of rape or incest.
While the provision of the 'big beautiful bill" doesn't directly name Planned Parenthood, the group alleged in their lawsuit on Monday that it's "a naked attempt to leverage the government's spending power to attack and penalize Planned Parenthood and impermissibly single it out for unfavorable treatment."
The group claimed that the law violates its equal protection rights and retaliates against its protected speech.
In its lawsuit, Planned Parenthood said the law would have "catastrophic" consequences on the organization and its local affiliates around the country, which also provide non-abortion services like contraception, and screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted infections.
"Many Planned Parenthood Members will be required to lay off staff and curtail services, with serious adverse consequences for the many patients served at those centers even if they do not use Medicaid to access services," the lawsuit read. "Worse still, Members may be forced to shutter a substantial number of their health centers nationwide, many of which are in rural or underserved areas without alternative providers."
As a result of the one-year funding ban, Planned Parenthood said 200 of its health centers are at risk of closure, and over one million patients could lose access to care. More than 90% of the clinics at risk are located in states where abortion is still legal, the group said.
The Department of Justice declined to comment on the ruling and has yet to file any court documents in the case.
Katie Daniel, the legal affairs director and policy counsel for SBA Pro-Life America, an anti-abortion advocacy group, lambasted Planned Parenthood's lawsuit.
'Planned Parenthood's desperation is showing as they run to the courts again to fix a crisis of their own making. Life is winning and the nation's abortion giant won't be missed as their long decline continues,' Daniel said.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
The Trump administration is making viruses great again
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Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Huge policing operation for Trump's Scotland visit - 'Few if any cops will not be impacted'
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Mr Trump is expected to take part in the opening ceremony for the recently constructed links, named after his mother, when he visits. It has already been confirmed Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer while in Aberdeen, while plans are being put in place for the president to meet First Minister John Swinney, according to the Scottish Government. The president will return to the UK in September for his second state visit. Last week, Mr Trump told the BBC the north-east of Scotland - the oil and gas capital of Europe - should "get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The US president has long been an opponent of wind farms, objecting to a development off the coast of Aberdeen which can be seen from his golf course. 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Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
As Donald Trump seeks refuge from 'Epstein Files' furore, Scotland's politicians must take care
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... According to The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce, the word diplomacy means 'the patriotic art of lying for one's country'. Although written in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the satirical sting of his book can still be felt today. While Donald Trump's trip to Scotland at the end of this week may be a private affair, a prelude to his UK state visit, its potential political importance should not be underestimated. There is a chance to at least lay the groundwork for a diplomatic coup with real, tangible benefits for Scotland and the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, there is also a chance for things to go badly wrong, to annoy, embarrass or offend a childish and deeply flawed man, who also happens to be, whether we like it or not, the most powerful person on planet Earth. Elon Musk's claim that Donald Trump is mentioned in the Epstein Files has sparked a controversy that the US President is struggling to deal with (Picture: Roberto Schmidt) | AFP via Getty Images 'Epstein hoax'? These are troubled times for the US President. After a public falling out, one-time ally Elon Musk claimed Trump's name was in the 'Epstein files', referring to Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier who killed himself in jail on remand after being arrested on charges of sex-trafficking children. The affair has begun to spiral with many of Trump's own 'Maga' supporters demanding the release of the files, supposedly including Epstein's 'client' list, and Musk now alleging there has been a 'cover-up' and that 'so many powerful people want that list suppressed'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Trump, who's been struggling to persuade people there's nothing to see in the 'Epstein hoax', will probably welcome the chance to escape to Scotland, play some golf, and talk about almost anything else. He may be desperate for the trip to go well and for as many political 'wins' as he can find, but also more volatile if things seem to be going badly.
