Supreme Court rules states can cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Supreme Court just delivered a major victory for anti-abortion advocates.

The conservative majority sided with the state of South Carolina allowing the state to block Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood.

Conservatives who have long championed the call to defund Planned Parenthood are celebrating, but Democrats argue because it’s already illegal for taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, the ruling will instead strip healthcare services, like cancer screenings, from low-income patients.

The 6-3 ruling prompted protests outside the court. The decision came down just as Planned Parenthood’s CEO spoke with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

“I’m honestly trying to contain my rage in this moment,” said Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson.

She says the ruling will be devastating for Medicaid patients seeking basic care, like pap smears, birth control or cancer screenings.

“In what world can we call ourselves a free nation when women aren’t free? When you deny our ability to use our insurance to get access to care,” said McGill Johnson.

Democratic lawmakers say the court decision is part of a larger playbook.

“This has been the goal of Donald Trump and the republicans all along, to defund planned parenthood and ultimately to make abortion care illegal,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.).

The White House is applauding the ruling.

“The president has always maintained Americans should not be forced to violate their conscious and their religious liberty by having their tax dollars fund abortions,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley says Congress should pass the president’s big, beautiful bill which would ban Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in every state.

“We need to quit giving planned parenthood federal taxpayer money,” said Hawley.

Planned Parenthood estimates that bill would force about 200 Planned Parenthood facilities to close mostly in states where abortion is currently legal.