Latest news with #HydeAmendment
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Trump's 'big beautiful bill' has Planned Parenthood provision
Using federal dollars to pay for most abortions has been illegal for decades, under the 1976 Hyde Amendment. The recent move by Republicans broadens funding limitations and means patients at Planned Parenthood or similar abortion-providing clinics cannot use Medicaid coverage for other services, such as contraception insertions or sexual disease testing. In a lawsuit filed July 7, Planned Parenthood argued the rule is unconstitutional and will devastate their national network of health care centers. One-third of Planned Parenthood clinics could close Planned Parenthood had signaled their intent to sue immediately after the GOP-controlled Congress passed the sweeping bill and teed it up for Trump's Independence Day signing ceremony. The provision against abortion providers, nestled deep in a section on wide-ranging Medicaid regulations, does not mention Planned Parenthood by name. Still, the organization's President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson called it "a targeted attack." "Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care," McGill Johnson said in a statement on July 3. "That's what we've been fighting for the last century -- and we'll never stop. We'll be suing the Trump administration to stop this unlawful attack. See you in court." In their lawsuit, Planned Parenthood said the temporary funding block would have "catastrophic consequences." Planned Parenthood encompasses nearly 600 locations nationwide. In addition to abortion, the clinics provide reproductive care such as pregnancy tests, testing for sexually transmitted infections and treatment, and cancer screenings. A third of the organization's funding comes from state and federal funds, including Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan health research organization KFF. Under Trump's new law, around 200 Planned Parenthood clinics - a third of their network - face potential closure, the organization has said. The legislation comes on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that ruled patients cannot challenge states' decisions about which doctors are qualified choices under Medicaid. 'New beginning' for abortion opponents Anti-abortion groups and advocates lauded the action. "This is a new beginning," Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, said in a video posted from the Capitol after Congress concluded days of debate and passed the bill. Kristan Hawkins, president of the group Students for Life, in a series of celebratory posts thanked Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana. "This is why we voted pro-life first in 2024!" Hawkins wrote on X. "And, the pro-life movement isn't sick of winning yet." Hawkins and other abortion opponents told USA TODAY in November 2024, following Trump's electoral victory, that "defunding" Planned Parenthood was at the top of their goal sheet for this new administration. "The fact that we have pro-life majorities in Congress is a huge opportunity," Lila Rose, an anti-abortion activist and founder and president of Live Action, said at the time. "I hope that it's not wasted."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Planned Parenthood sues Trump admin, saying it is targeted by provision in megabill
A federal judge in Massachusetts granted a temporary restraining order against a provision in President Donald Trump's recently passed tax and policy megabill that would deny Planned Parenthood and its member organizations Medicaid funding for one year for non-abortion health services. Planned Parenthood, the largest reproductive health provider in the United States, and two of its member organizations had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration earlier Monday over the provision, which the groups said was meant to target Planned Parenthood and its member organizations over abortion access. While the Hyde Amendment already prohibits the use of federal funding for abortions, the provision would prevent providers that offer abortion services and that received over $800,000 or more in federal Medicaid funding in 2023 from receiving Medicaid funding for other kinds of care for one year. MORE: Supreme Court decision bolsters efforts to defund Planned Parenthood Judge Indira Talwani, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama, wrote in the temporary restraining order that "Defendants, their agents, employees, appointees, successors, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants shall take all steps necessary to ensure that Medicaid funding continues to be disbursed in the customary manner and timeframes to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its members; Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts; and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah." The order is set to remain in effect for 14 days, and a hearing has been set for July 21. Planned Parenthood, in a statement on social media on Monday night, wrote, "We're grateful that the court acted swiftly to block this unconstitutional law attacking Planned Parenthood providers and patients... The fight is just beginning, and we look forward to our day in court!" In its lawsuit, Planned Parenthood wrote that the bill's provision was meant "to categorically prohibit health centers associated with Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements… in order to punish them for lawful activity, namely advocating for and providing legal abortion access wholly outside the Medicaid program and without using any federal funds." Mentioning that Planned Parenthood branches serve over a million patients using Medicaid each year, the group wrote, "losing the ability to choose a Planned Parenthood Member health center as their Medicaid provider will be devastating for Medicaid patients across the country." The group also said that Planned Parenthood clinics, services, and staff would likely be eliminated if the clinics can no longer get Medicaid reimbursement. MORE: Justices divided over Medicaid 'right' to choose Planned Parenthood clinics The lawsuit names Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Mehmet Oz, along with their respective agencies, as plaintiffs. ABC News has reached out to HHS and CMS for comment. Multiple groups that oppose abortion access condemned the lawsuit, calling the bill a win for their cause and framing Planned Parenthood as desperate. "Planned Parenthood's desperation is showing as they run to the courts again to fix a crisis of their own making. Time after time they rely on unelected judges to bail them out of trouble, rather than fix deep systemic problems internally... As Planned Parenthood doubles down on lawfare and abortion politics, they prove exactly why the One Big Beautiful Bill is a historic victory for the people, stopping half a billion dollars in forced taxpayer funding of the corrupt abortion industry for the first time," Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America director of legal affairs Katie Daniel said in a statement.
6 days ago
- Health
Planned Parenthood sues Trump admin, saying it is targeted by provision in megabill
A federal judge in Massachusetts granted a temporary restraining order against a provision in President Donald Trump's recently passed tax and policy megabill that would deny Planned Parenthood and its member organizations Medicaid funding for one year for non-abortion health services. Planned Parenthood, the largest reproductive health provider in the United States, and two of its member organizations had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration earlier Monday over the provision, which the groups said was meant to target Planned Parenthood and its member organizations over abortion access. While the Hyde Amendment already prohibits the use of federal funding for abortions, the provision would prevent providers that offer abortion services and that received over $800,000 or more in federal Medicaid funding in 2023 from receiving Medicaid funding for other kinds of care for one year. Judge Indira Talwani, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama, wrote in the temporary restraining order that "Defendants, their agents, employees, appointees, successors, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants shall take all steps necessary to ensure that Medicaid funding continues to be disbursed in the customary manner and timeframes to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its members; Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts; and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah." The order is set to remain in effect for 14 days, and a hearing has been set for July 21. Planned Parenthood, in a statement on social media on Monday night, wrote, "We're grateful that the court acted swiftly to block this unconstitutional law attacking Planned Parenthood providers and patients... The fight is just beginning, and we look forward to our day in court!" In its lawsuit, Planned Parenthood wrote that the bill's provision was meant "to categorically prohibit health centers associated with Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements… in order to punish them for lawful activity, namely advocating for and providing legal abortion access wholly outside the Medicaid program and without using any federal funds." Mentioning that Planned Parenthood branches serve over a million patients using Medicaid each year, the group wrote, "losing the ability to choose a Planned Parenthood Member health center as their Medicaid provider will be devastating for Medicaid patients across the country." The group also said that Planned Parenthood clinics, services, and staff would likely be eliminated if the clinics can no longer get Medicaid reimbursement. The lawsuit names Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Mehmet Oz, along with their respective agencies, as plaintiffs. ABC News has reached out to HHS and CMS for comment. Multiple groups that oppose abortion access condemned the lawsuit, calling the bill a win for their cause and framing Planned Parenthood as desperate. "Planned Parenthood's desperation is showing as they run to the courts again to fix a crisis of their own making. Time after time they rely on unelected judges to bail them out of trouble, rather than fix deep systemic problems internally... As Planned Parenthood doubles down on lawfare and abortion politics, they prove exactly why the One Big Beautiful Bill is a historic victory for the people, stopping half a billion dollars in forced taxpayer funding of the corrupt abortion industry for the first time," Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America director of legal affairs Katie Daniel said in a statement.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Donald Trump's mega bill could mean closure for a third of Planned Parenthood clinics
WASHINGTON – Planned Parenthood is suing to block a provision of President Donald Trump's mega-legislation signed July 4 that will mean big losses for the country's largest provider of reproductive health care. Republicans included in their nearly 900-page bill a one-year measure barring clinics that provide abortions, such as Planned Parenthood, from accepting Medicaid for any of their other reproductive services. Using federal dollars to pay for most abortions has been illegal for decades, under the 1976 Hyde Amendment. The recent move by Republicans broadens funding limitations and means patients at Planned Parenthood or similar abortion-providing clinics cannot use Medicaid coverage for other services, such as contraception insertions or sexual disease testing. In a lawsuit filed July 7, Planned Parenthood argued the rule is unconstitutional and will devastate their national network of health care centers. One-third of Planned Parenthood clinics could close Planned Parenthood had signaled their intent to sue immediately after the GOP-controlled Congress passed the sweeping bill and teed it up for Trump's Independence Day signing ceremony. The provision against abortion providers, nestled deep in a section on wide-ranging Medicaid regulations, does not mention Planned Parenthood by name. Still, the organization's President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson called it 'a targeted attack.' 'Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care,' McGill Johnson said in a statement on July 3. 'That's what we've been fighting for the last century — and we'll never stop. We'll be suing the Trump administration to stop this unlawful attack. See you in court.' In their lawsuit, Planned Parenthood said the temporary funding block would have 'catastrophic consequences.' Planned Parenthood encompasses nearly 600 locations nationwide. In addition to abortion, the clinics provide reproductive care such as pregnancy tests, testing for sexually transmitted infections and treatment, and cancer screenings. A third of the organization's funding comes from state and federal funds, including Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan health research organization KFF. Under Trump's new law, around 200 Planned Parenthood clinics – a third of their network – face potential closure, the organization has said. The legislation comes on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that ruled patients cannot challenge states' decisions about which doctors are qualified choices under Medicaid. 'New beginning' for abortion opponents Anti-abortion groups and advocates lauded the action. 'This is a new beginning,' Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, said in a video posted from the Capitol after Congress concluded days of debate and passed the bill. Kristan Hawkins, president of the group Students for Life, in a series of celebratory posts thanked Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana. 'This is why we voted pro-life first in 2024!' Hawkins wrote on X. 'And, the pro-life movement isn't sick of winning yet.' Hawkins and other abortion opponents told USA TODAY in November 2024, following Trump's electoral victory, that 'defunding' Planned Parenthood was at the top of their goal sheet for this new administration. 'The fact that we have pro-life majorities in Congress is a huge opportunity,' Lila Rose, an anti-abortion activist and founder and president of Live Action, said at the time. 'I hope that it's not wasted.'
Boston Globe
03-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
‘They're playing politics with people's lives': Trump's big bill would slash Planned Parenthood's Mass. budget in half
'They're playing politics with people's lives,' said Ireland. 'It saddens me that the legislature does not see the real humans that are being affected by this decision-making.' Advertisement Ireland, a practicing OB/GYN and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, said that in just the past several days, she treated three women with widely different medical needs at the league's clinics. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up One had pre-cancer of the cervix. Another had a sexually transmitted disease that she caught from an unfaithful partner. And a third was about to start a pre-med program at an Ivy League school, got pregnant, and wanted an abortion. 'We provide excellent care based on quality and patient satisfaction and I hate to see that threatened,' Ireland said. The league has four clinics in Boston, Marlborough, Springfield, and Worcester, although abortions are not performed at the one in Marlborough. The clinics provide services such as birth control, Pap smears, breast exams and abortions. Advertisement The league provided 9,462 abortions last year, and more than half of them were achieved using a combination of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol. Federal law, specifically the 1977 Hyde Amendment, already bans states from using federal Medicaid dollars to pay for abortions. Massachusetts, like more than a dozen mostly blue states, uses its own funds to cover abortions for Medicaid recipients. The legislation that President Trump and Republicans in Congress are pushing would affect federal money that covers other medical services and helps keep clinics running. Michael King, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, an anti-abortion rights group, said there are 'plenty of other clinics that can address those needs' in Massachusetts if Congress approves the Medicaid cuts. He noted that Planned Parenthood said it performed 402,000 abortions nationwide in its 2023-24 annual report, which King called a record number. He also cited a recent study by the Washington-based Ethics and Public Policy Center, a think tank that says it applies 'the riches of the Jewish and Christian traditions' to law, culture, and politics. The study found that 11 percent of women who had medication abortions experienced serious adverse complications. This rate, which has been cited by Republican members of Congress, was significantly higher than the less than 0.5 percent rate found in clinical trials by the US Food and Drug Administration. 'If Planned Parenthood clinics closing means that the number of abortions declined, then we are very pleased that the lives of more babies will be saved in Massachusetts,' King said. Critics of the Medicaid cuts, however, said congressional Republicans are using the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' to knee-cap an organization that they have long opposed. Advertisement Although Planned Parenthood isn't mentioned in the bill, 'all they needed to add was it rhymes with wood or Hollywood,' said Fabiola De Liban, director of sexual and reproductive health at the National Health Law Program, in Los Angeles. Ireland said that if the House approves the bill containing the Medicaid cuts, the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is committed to keeping the doors of all four clinics open and maintaining services. She said the league might seek to provide other services to bolster income, including vasectomies and treatment for perimenopause, the physical and emotional symptoms that often appear as a woman approaches menopause. Perimenopausal care includes hormone therapy, vaginal creams, and certain medications that can help manage symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes. Jonathan Saltzman can be reached at
