Washington, D.C. – A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from cutting Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. This decision partially freezes a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act just days after President Trump signed it into law.
The temporary order, issued by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, will remain in effect for 14 days. The ruling directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take all necessary steps to ensure that Medicaid funding continues to flow to Planned Parenthood. The judge’s order does not apply to any other healthcare providers.
The Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration
The ruling came after a lawsuit from Planned Parenthood, challenging a portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would cut off federal Medicaid funding to organizations that are “primarily engaged in family planning services, reproductive health, and related medical care” if they provide abortions.
Though the provision does not directly mention Planned Parenthood, the group argues that it unfairly targets them, calling it an attempt to use the government’s spending power to penalize and single out Planned Parenthood for unfavorable treatment.
Planned Parenthood’s Response
Currently, federal Medicaid dollars cannot be used to cover abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk. However, Planned Parenthood argues that the new provision would make it harder for patients to access important non-abortion services, such as cancer screenings and treatments for sexually transmitted infections.
Planned Parenthood also claims that more than half of its patients use Medicaid, and a funding cut-off would have devastating effects on the organization and its local affiliates. The group warns that local health centers could be forced to close, especially in rural or underserved areas where alternative healthcare providers are scarce.
The lawsuit stated, “Many Planned Parenthood members will be required to lay off staff and reduce services. Worse still, members may be forced to close a substantial number of health centers nationwide.”
Planned Parenthood’s Reaction
In a statement, Planned Parenthood and its affiliates in Massachusetts and Utah, which joined the lawsuit, expressed their gratitude for the court’s swift action. They called the law an “unconstitutional attack” on the organization and its patients.
White House Response
In response to the ruling, a White House official defended the Trump administration’s stance, saying, “The Trump Administration is ending the forced use of federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion—a commonsense position that the overwhelming majority of Americans agree with.”
Criticism from Pro-Life Group
The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group, which opposes abortion, criticized the lawsuit. They argued that President Trump’s bill correctly cut funding to the abortion industry.
The group’s director of legal affairs, Katie Daniel, called Planned Parenthood’s actions “desperation” and accused them of creating a crisis of their own making.
Supreme Court Ruling in South Carolina
Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that South Carolina could block Planned Parenthood from participating in the state’s Medicaid program. The court determined that Planned Parenthood could not sue South Carolina under a civil rights law.