Judge temporarily blocks Planned Parenthood ‘defunding’ in Trump megabill
Share and Follow


A federal judge on Monday granted Planned Parenthood’s request to temporarily halt Medicaid funding cuts to the group’s health centers under a provision of Republicans’ new tax and spending package. 

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling marks the first known instance of a federal judge limiting enforcement of any part of the “big, beautiful” bill, which President Trump signed into law Friday.

It came just hours after Planned Parenthood sued over a provision that imposes a one-year ban on state Medicaid payments to health care nonprofits that also offer abortions and received more than $800,000 in federal funding in 2023. 

Talwani’s ruling still allows the administration to enforce the provision against other providers, but Planned Parenthood says it comprises almost the entirety of the impacted entities.

The judge issued the decision before the government responded, providing no explanation beyond a brief note that Planned Parenthood had shown “good cause” for her to immediately intervene.  

The ruling lasts two weeks, and the judge will rule on whether to grant a longer injunction following a July 21 hearing. Talwani is an appointee of former President Obama. 

Stressing that federal law already bans federal funding for abortion, Planned Parenthood argues that the provision unconstitutionally singles out the organization, violates its equal protection rights and amounts to retaliation for Planned Parenthood’s protected speech. 

The group warned that it would have to make cuts if the judge did not immediately get involved. 

“We’re grateful that the court acted swiftly to block this unconstitutional law attacking Planned Parenthood providers and patients,” the group said in a statement following her ruling.

“Already, in states across the country, providers and health center staff have been forced to turn away patients who use Medicaid to get basic sexual and reproductive health care because President Trump and his backers in Congress passed a law to block them from going to Planned Parenthood. There are no other providers who can fill the gap if the ‘defunding’ of Planned Parenthood is allowed to stand,” the statement continued.

The Hill has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment. It is due to respond to Planned Parenthood’s arguments in court filings by next Monday. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Florida executes man convicted of killing airman and girlfriend in 1987 home invasion

Florida Carries Out Execution for 1987 Home Invasion Murders: Justice Served for Airman and Girlfriend

In Florida, the state carried out the execution of a man on…
Brown University shooting reveals major gap in Providence's $1M 'real time crime center'

Unveiling the Flaws: Brown University Incident Exposes Cracks in Providence’s $1M Crime Center

The recent shooting at Brown University has spotlighted a significant shortfall in…
Trump in White House speech announces $1,776 bonus for US troops, as he says economy is strong

Trump Unveils $1,776 Bonus for Troops Amidst Claims of Economic Strength: What It Means for You

In an effort to bolster his waning support, President Donald Trump made…
Split image of a man pointing a finger to his face (left) and a selfie of another man on the right.

Brooklyn Stabbing Survivor Elias Rosner Advocates Against Bullying After Attack

A Jewish man stabbed in the chest in New York City recently…
Ex-Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack arrested in Texas

Former Jaguars Linebacker Myles Jack Arrested in Texas: Latest Details and Implications

Myles Jack, a former linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been charged…
Tributes pour in as NASCAR legend and family die in private jet crash

NASCAR Mourns Tragic Loss: Racing Legend and Family Killed in Devastating Private Jet Crash

Tragedy struck the racing community as Greg Biffle, a beloved figure in…
Hunt for Brown University killer handicapped by security lapses, campus budget cuts

Security Gaps and Budget Cuts Hamper Investigation into Brown University Murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — During a tense finals week at Brown University, a…
Mystery as UFOs seen hovering above power station for over a year

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Persistently Observed Over Power Station for Over a Year

A small-town sheriff in Wyoming has confessed his bewilderment over a series…