The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a case challenging South Carolina’s decision to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program as the landscape for abortion care shifts after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Anti-abortion groups have long sought to keep public health dollars away from Planned Parenthood, even though the organization provides a range of healthcare services beyond abortion. The case hinges on whether Medicaid beneficiaries can choose their provider, with South Carolina arguing that states should have the power to determine how Medicaid funds are spent. The legal battle began in 2018 when South Carolina terminated Planned Parenthood’s provider agreements. A patient and the organization sued, leading to conflicting decisions in lower courts. If South Carolina prevails, it could open the door for more states to exclude Planned Parenthood from their Medicaid programs. The outcome will impact the ability of Medicaid beneficiaries to access needed healthcare services, including reproductive health care, from trusted providers. A decision from the Supreme Court is expected by the end of June.
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