A federal appeals court has issued a ruling preventing South Carolina from discontinuing Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, ensuring patients’ right to select their healthcare provider. This marks the third time the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has intervened to maintain funding for Planned Parenthood in the state. The court revisited its decision following a Supreme Court ruling on individuals’ ability to challenge state actions, affirming the protection of patients’ rights. Planned Parenthood president Alexis McGill Johnson stated, “State politicians cannot block people with low incomes from choosing the Medicaid provider they know and trust.”
Planned Parenthood locations in Charleston and Columbia offer a range of crucial services to Medicaid patients, including physical exams, cancer screenings, and abortions. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson underscored the importance of beneficiaries having the liberty to select from qualified healthcare providers, as outlined in the federal Medicaid law. The legal dispute originated in 2018 when Governor Henry McMaster sought to remove Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program due to its abortion services.
The panel of judges who ruled on this case was comprised of appointees from both Republican and Democratic administrations, indicating bipartisan support for the decision. This legal battle reflects a broader trend among Republican-led states to tighten abortion restrictions following changes in the Supreme Court. Despite national efforts to limit abortion access, South Carolina’s strict abortion law was upheld by the state’s highest court earlier this year.
This court ruling highlights the ongoing debate regarding abortion rights and healthcare accessibility for low-income individuals in the United States. It reiterates the judiciary’s role in safeguarding Medicaid patients’ right to choose their healthcare providers, including Planned Parenthood.
