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The Supreme Court Is Helping Republicans Win Their War On Planned Parenthood
Last edited Fri Jun 27, 2025, 12:05 AM - Edit history (1)
Balls and StrikesIn 1965, Congress created Medicaid, a nationwide program that provides health insurance to qualifying low-income families. In doing so, Congress showed some recognition that poor people have just as much a right to health—and to make decisions about their health—as wealthier people: Part of the law requires states to ensure that anyone eligible for medical assistance under the program “may obtain such assistance from any institution, agency, community pharmacy, or person, qualified to perform the service or services required.” Basically, Congress decided poor people can choose their own doctors, too.
South Carolina and the Supreme Court just decided otherwise. Although South Carolina already prevents state funds from being used for abortion, in 2018, Republican Governor Henry McMaster announced a plan to deny healthcare providers Medicaid reimbursements for any service they provide, even if abortion is just one of many services available.
Today, in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, the Republican justices held that patients have no right to sue when states like South Carolina arbitrarily exclude disfavored healthcare providers from Medicaid coverage. Instead, if states violate Medicaid’s any-qualified-provider provision, patients are at the mercy of the Trump administration’s willingness to enforce the law on patients’ behalf, or Congress’s ability to enact a new law to undo what the Court just decided. I’m no doctor, but I wouldn’t advise holding your breath.
Nearly 72 million low-income people—1 in 5 Americans—use Medicaid to meet their healthcare needs. Congress included the any-qualified-provider provision so those people could access quality healthcare with agency and dignity. By holding that the statute does not actually give patients an enforceable right, the Court is yet again overriding the will of the people, and the people will suffer as a result.
South Carolina and the Supreme Court just decided otherwise. Although South Carolina already prevents state funds from being used for abortion, in 2018, Republican Governor Henry McMaster announced a plan to deny healthcare providers Medicaid reimbursements for any service they provide, even if abortion is just one of many services available.
Today, in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, the Republican justices held that patients have no right to sue when states like South Carolina arbitrarily exclude disfavored healthcare providers from Medicaid coverage. Instead, if states violate Medicaid’s any-qualified-provider provision, patients are at the mercy of the Trump administration’s willingness to enforce the law on patients’ behalf, or Congress’s ability to enact a new law to undo what the Court just decided. I’m no doctor, but I wouldn’t advise holding your breath.
Nearly 72 million low-income people—1 in 5 Americans—use Medicaid to meet their healthcare needs. Congress included the any-qualified-provider provision so those people could access quality healthcare with agency and dignity. By holding that the statute does not actually give patients an enforceable right, the Court is yet again overriding the will of the people, and the people will suffer as a result.
Shorter Supreme Court: Even if Congress passes a law protecting your legal rights, we still get to decide whether they mean anything ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/medin...
— Balls & Strikes (@ballsandstrikes.org) 2025-06-26T23:20:57.514Z
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