Federal Judge Blocks Medicaid Funding Ban Against Planned Parenthood

A federal judge, Indira Talwani, appointed by President Obama, issued a preliminary injunction blocking a provision in President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" law that would have barred Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood for one year. The ruling protects certain Planned Parenthood clinics, particularly those unable to provide abortions due to state bans or those with lower Medicaid reimbursements, from losing funding while the organization’s lawsuit proceeds. Talwani found that the law likely violates Planned Parenthood's First Amendment rights and equal protection claims, maintaining their ability to seek Medicaid reimbursements and provide a status quo level of healthcare services. The Trump administration opposed the injunction, arguing the constitutional claims lack merit, but the court limited the enforcement of the defunding provision to some Planned Parenthood members, allowing appeals to proceed. Planned Parenthood emphasized the ongoing nature of the case, warning of a potential public health crisis if defunding is enforced more broadly. This injunction follows an earlier temporary restraining order issued by Talwani immediately after the law's signing on July 4, 2025.