Planned Parenthood sued the Trump administration for cutting its funding

This Monday, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in a federal court in Boston, challenging a provision included in a new domestic policy law promoted by President Donald Trump.

This clause, known as the "Defunding Provision," would prevent Planned Parenthood-affiliated health centers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements, the government's health insurance program for low-income individuals. According to Planned Parenthood, this measure would have "catastrophic" consequences and would violate constitutional rights.

The organization argues that the provision is unconstitutional because it specifically targets its affiliates for their activism regarding "sexual and reproductive health," including access to abortion, which they claim would violate their rights to free association under the First Amendment and equal protection under the Fifth Amendment.

The lawsuit was filed by the national organization Planned Parenthood Federation of America along with affiliates in Massachusetts and Utah, and seeks a court order to prevent the federal government from enforcing the new law.

Planned Parenthood warns that if the provision is implemented, nearly 200 of its almost 600 health centers in 24 states could be forced to close, affecting more than 1.1 million Medicaid-related patients.

The organization clarifies that although its parent entity doesn't provide abortions nor has it received Medicaid funds, the law is designed to penalize its affiliates, even those that do not offer abortion services.

The organization keeps that this provision acts as a "covert abortion ban," by depriving individuals of comprehensive health services at centers where access to abortion is also offered.

The lawsuit was filed just eleven days after the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 vote, allowed South Carolina to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program, stating that federal law doesn't grant the organization the right to sue in these cases.

The president of Planned Parenthood, Alexis McGill Johnson, emphasized that the litigation seeks to protect access to vital health services for millions of people. She stated, "it's not just about Planned Parenthood, but about the communities that depend on this care."

In addition to the recent judicial setback, Planned Parenthood faces other financial challenges. This year, the Trump administration froze tens of millions of dollars from the federal Title X family planning program, significantly affecting funding for organizations like Planned Parenthood. Although some funds have been restored to other entities, Planned Parenthood still hasn't received that money.

The case has been registered as Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc et al v Kennedy et al, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Its resolution could have deep implications for the future of reproductive health in the United States.