A divided Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that Planned Parenthood and Medicaid patients can’t file a lawsuit to challenge South Carolina’s decision to exclude the health care provider from receiving federal funds because it provides abortions.
The 6-3 decision halts challenges that accuse states of violating the rights of Medicaid recipients to receive care from the doctor of their choice, which advocates from both sides said likely gives states more say over which providers can be included in their Medicaid programs.
John Bursch, counsel for the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom which represented South Carolina in the case, issued a statement that said the decision empowered states to exclude organizations that “profit off abortion and distribute dangerous gender-transition drugs to minors.”
