Article Summary –
Sen. Rand Paul introduced the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, aiming to stop federal funding to the organization, despite the Hyde Amendment already prohibiting federal funding for abortions, potentially ending Medicaid reimbursements for other health services provided by Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood, which offers a wide range of healthcare services beyond abortions, faces significant threats not only from the bill but also from lawsuits challenging its Medicaid funding and accusing it of fraud. The potential defunding and legal challenges could severely limit access to essential health services for many, as expressed by individuals like Ryan-Simone Duncan, who rely on Planned Parenthood for affordable healthcare.
On Jan. 23, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky introduced a bill named the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, stating, “No Federal funds may be available to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, or its affiliates.”
Paul’s Senate website connects the bill to the “March for Life” event in Washington, D.C., saying, “The Defund Planned Parenthood Act ensures federal tax dollars aren’t used by organizations, like Planned Parenthood, for abortions.”
Federal funding for abortion has been restricted by the Hyde Amendment, a restriction in federal spending bills since 1976, except in emergencies endangering a pregnant woman’s life.
Blocking federal funding would halt Medicaid reimbursements to providers for reproductive health services for those unable to afford them.
Ryan-Simone Duncan, a 24-year-old Detroit resident, has been receiving primary health care from Planned Parenthood for three years. Having lived overseas as a military child, she had health care through the military’s TRICARE program.
“But arriving in America, it got real fast,” Duncan told the Michigan Independent. “Not everything was accessible. I had to change my insurance, using student insurance, which was costly. Planned Parenthood worked with me, considering my insurance and needs.”
Planned Parenthood offers services like screenings for cervical and breast cancer, sexually transmitted infections, prenatal and postpartum care, and contraception education. The organization reported seeing 2.05 million patients in 2022-2023.
“My experience with Planned Parenthood has always been welcoming. Knowing it might not exist and people losing needed resources is terrifying,” Duncan said. “I don’t know where I’d be without those resources.”
Planned Parenthood funding comes from private donations, Medicaid, and federal grants for services to patients unable to pay, through the federal Title X program, established in 1970 for family planning and reproductive health care access.
Duncan visited Planned Parenthood for STI testing and treatment, Plan B contraceptives, and abortion care. Her private insurance didn’t cover the $500 abortion cost, but Planned Parenthood allowed monthly payments.
“They let me pay little by little, which was amazing,” Duncan said. “I didn’t know that was possible, and it saved me.”
Besides Sen. Rand Paul’s bill with seven Republican cosponsors, two lawsuits threaten the organization.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering Kerr v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (now Medina v. Planned Parenthood), a case on whether South Carolina can end all Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, brought by the anti-abortion legal group, Alliance Defending Freedom.
“The Kerr case could severely reduce access to family planning services in many states,” said Elizabeth Sepper, a University of Texas School of Law professor, to Slate.
Jenny Black, CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, stated, “This case is politics at its worst: anti-abortion politicians targeting Planned Parenthood, blocking Medicaid users from essential health care like cancer screenings and birth control.”
In 2023, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered a jury trial for a lawsuit filed in 2021 against Planned Parenthood’s Texas affiliates, alleging Medicaid fraud. Texas seeks $1.8 billion in penalties, potentially crippling the organization.
“Planned Parenthood has been my safe space,” Duncan said. “Learning that it might be taken away — it could be the future — I don’t know what I’d do.”
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