Though the case being heard inside was not centered on abortion, the scene outside the Supreme Court Wednesday morning seemed to focus squarely on the procedure.
Those gathering outside the court ahead of and during oral arguments for Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic said they see the case — which will determine if South Carolina can exclude Planned Parenthood from being eligible for Medicaid reimbursement — as crucial for the future of the organization.
Federal Medicaid money is not used to pay for abortions, outside of rare circumstances of rape, incest and to save the pregnant woman’s life. Instead, these reimbursements are used to cover family planning services, prenatal care or sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment.
