On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could block abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid money to provide health care services.
The case, Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, centered on whether low-income Medicaid patients can sue under what is known as Section 1983 – part of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 – to choose their own qualified health care provider.
In a 6-3 ruling, the Court found that while Medicaid law allows individuals to choose their own provider, it does not make this choice a right enforceable in Court. The ruling was along ideological lines.
Federal law already prohibits Medicaid money from paying for abortions, with limited exceptions.
Members of Alabama's Republican federal delegation and others in Alabama politics praised the decision, calling it a "win."
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) stated, "This is a win for life and a win for taxpayers. The American people should not have to fund partisan political organizations, like Planned Parenthood, that’s primary business is performing abortions."
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) posted on X, "SCOTUS issued a major win for life! Today, SCOTUS ruled that states DO NOT have to use taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. I was proud to sign onto @RepRalphNorman's amicus brief on this issue."
Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell, candidate for Alabama Attorney General, reacted to the ruling, saying, "Left-wing judges have long blocked Alabama from defunding Planned Parenthood, but today’s Supreme Court ruling means that Planned Parenthood’s radical allies in the judiciary are out of the way. It's time to finally–and permanently–defund Planned Parenthood."
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