Latest news with #JoshShapiro
CBS News
5 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro joins lawsuit against Trump administration's attempt to defund Planned Parenthood
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is joining a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia in a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's latest effort to cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, targets a provision in the recently passed "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which halts Medicaid reimbursements for a year to major family planning providers, most notably Planned Parenthood. The move has sparked both legal action and passionate public response. Outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia's Gayborhood, supporters gathered not with signs, but with prayers. "I believe in the mission of Planned Parenthood, and I believe in all of the health care they provide, saving services they provide," said Mark, who asked not to share his last name. "I believe that's prayer-worthy." Another patient, who didn't want to reveal her identity, spoke about the daily reality of relying on these clinics. "If you need medical attention, they're there. They don't judge you," the patient said. President Trump celebrated the bill as a legislative milestone. "This is the most single most popular bill ever signed," he said at the signing, claiming, "And it includes the largest tax cut in American history, the largest spending cut, $1.7 trillion." Critics argue the spending cuts come at the expense of vital health services. New Jersey and Delaware have also joined the suit. The lawsuit argues the defunding provision, which could strip Planned Parenthood of an estimated $700 million in Medicaid reimbursements, would jeopardize access to essential care like cancer screenings, birth control, treatment for sexually transmitted infections and prenatal care. Supporters of the defunding effort, like longtime anti-abortion advocate Mark Houck, welcomed the move. "It's an unconstitutional program," he said. "Our taxpayer dollars should not be going to fund a nonprofit organization like Planned Parenthood." In a statement on X, Shapiro called the provision an "unconstitutional decision" that threatens to deny Pennsylvanians "lifesaving care." He added, "As long as I'm governor, we will defend access to reproductive health care here in Pennsylvania." McGill-Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, echoed those concerns, calling the bill a "targeted attack on Planned Parenthood health centers and patients." The lawsuit challenges the so-called "Defund Provision" of the bill, which blocks Medicaid funding to health centers that provide abortion-related services, even though federal law already prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions in most cases. The plaintiffs argue the provision punishes Planned Parenthood for its constitutionally protected advocacy, violating both the First Amendment and Article I's ban on bills of attainder. It also forces states to enforce federal policy by either cutting off funding to clinics or absorbing the costs themselves, undermining the federal-state Medicaid partnership. The states are asking the court to declare the provision unconstitutional and block its enforcement. Until a ruling is reached, supporters like Mark say they'll continue showing up. "I think it's a good thing to come and express prayers in support of the alternate opinion," he said.
San Francisco Chronicle
11 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers. 'I recognize this information is concerning, and it is equally concerning to both me and the governor,' Budget Secretary Uri Monson said in the letters. 'Our administration continues to work diligently to find agreement between the House and Senate and we will work to support you and your organization as you manage the current situation.' Budget stalemates are also playing out in Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic governors are sharing power with Republican legislators. Pennsylvania school districts, which received more than $11 billion last year from the state for operations, will see delays on more than $2 billion in payments through August, Shapiro's administration said. District officials have said the poorest districts might have to borrow money if aid is delayed in August. Universities, such as Penn State and state-run system schools, will see delays on more than $200 million in aid and counties will not get on-time payments of $390 million to child welfare agencies, it said. More than $100 million in payments to a range of other agencies, nonprofits and programs will also be delayed, according to the administration's letters. It also said it cannot distribute money to early childhood education providers. Shapiro and top Republican lawmakers have said they are engaged in closed-door discussions to try to find a compromise. Neither the state House nor state Senate have scheduled a voting session for this week. ___
Toronto Star
11 hours ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers.
Winnipeg Free Press
11 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers. 'I recognize this information is concerning, and it is equally concerning to both me and the governor,' Budget Secretary Uri Monson said in the letters. 'Our administration continues to work diligently to find agreement between the House and Senate and we will work to support you and your organization as you manage the current situation.' Budget stalemates are also playing out in Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic governors are sharing power with Republican legislators. Pennsylvania school districts, which received more than $11 billion last year from the state for operations, will see delays on more than $2 billion in payments through August, Shapiro's administration said. District officials have said the poorest districts might have to borrow money if aid is delayed in August. Universities, such as Penn State and state-run system schools, will see delays on more than $200 million in aid and counties will not get on-time payments of $390 million to child welfare agencies, it said. More than $100 million in payments to a range of other agencies, nonprofits and programs will also be delayed, according to the administration's letters. It also said it cannot distribute money to early childhood education providers. Shapiro and top Republican lawmakers have said they are engaged in closed-door discussions to try to find a compromise. Neither the state House nor state Senate have scheduled a voting session for this week. Without the governor's signature on a new spending plan, the state lost some of its spending authority starting July 1. ___ Follow Marc Levy on X at:
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers. 'I recognize this information is concerning, and it is equally concerning to both me and the governor,' Budget Secretary Uri Monson said in the letters. 'Our administration continues to work diligently to find agreement between the House and Senate and we will work to support you and your organization as you manage the current situation.' Budget stalemates are also playing out in Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic governors are sharing power with Republican legislators. Pennsylvania school districts, which received more than $11 billion last year from the state for operations, will see delays on more than $2 billion in payments through August, Shapiro's administration said. District officials have said the poorest districts might have to borrow money if aid is delayed in August. Universities, such as Penn State and state-run system schools, will see delays on more than $200 million in aid and counties will not get on-time payments of $390 million to child welfare agencies, it said. More than $100 million in payments to a range of other agencies, nonprofits and programs will also be delayed, according to the administration's letters. It also said it cannot distribute money to early childhood education providers. Shapiro and top Republican lawmakers have said they are engaged in closed-door discussions to try to find a compromise. Neither the state House nor state Senate have scheduled a voting session for this week. Without the governor's signature on a new spending plan, the state lost some of its spending authority starting July 1. ___ Follow Marc Levy on X at: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
