Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a new budget reconciliation law that includes a provision to block Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood health centers. The suit is joined by 22 other state attorneys general and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
The provision in question, referred to as the “Defund Provision,” prevents Medicaid funding from being used for services provided by Planned Parenthood. According to the coalition, this measure will limit access to healthcare services such as cancer screenings, birth control, and STI testing for millions of low-income Americans, with disproportionate effects on women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color.
“This targeted attack on Planned Parenthood will have disastrous consequences for the health and safety of Nevadans,” said AG Ford. “In addition, the bill’s restrictions on funding to Planned Parenthood overstep the legal authority of Congress. This unconstitutional attack shows a complete lack of concern by this administration and many members of Congress for the ability of Americans to access needed health care services. I will not let them strip away these services from Nevadans without a fight.”
The reconciliation bill was signed into law last month and includes several provisions led by Republican lawmakers. One section blocks federal Medicaid funding for essential medical services at Planned Parenthood facilities.
Planned Parenthood operates about 200 health centers nationwide and serves more than 1.1 million people who may have limited alternatives if these clinics lose funding. Research from the Guttmacher Institute suggests that other healthcare providers do not have sufficient capacity to absorb all patients currently served by Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America previously sued over this issue after most clinics lost Medicaid funding following the expiration of a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the Defund Provision. On July 28, a court granted an injunction in favor of Planned Parenthood, finding that the provision violated constitutional protections including those under the First Amendment and Equal Protection Clause.
In their latest filing, AG Ford and his counterparts argue that blocking Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood is ambiguous and violates Congressional authority under the Spending Clause. They claim it could lead to delayed diagnoses for serious illnesses and increase unintended pregnancies—effects they estimate would add $30 million in costs over five years and $52 million over ten years to state Medicaid programs.
Joining Nevada in this legal action are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington and Wisconsin.
