Supreme Court Upholds States Cutting Medicaid Funding to Planned Parenthood

The Supreme Court's 2024-2025 term has significantly impacted the United States' public health infrastructure, particularly by upholding South Carolina's decision to defund Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program due to ideological opposition to abortion, which could lead other states to follow suit and reduce access to essential health services for millions. The Court also affirmed that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has considerable discretion in determining which preventive services the Affordable Care Act covers, raising concerns about potential erosion of healthcare protections. The conservative-majority Court further sanctioned policies restricting medically approved care for transgender youth and empowered parental control over public school curricula, while undermining Medicaid protections by allowing states to impose politically motivated healthcare decisions. The Court's use of its shadow docket has supported the Trump administration’s extreme policies, including controversial immigration measures that challenge constitutional protections. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s broader agenda threatens deep cuts to social safety net programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and other federal assistance, which could lead to significant losses in coverage and support for vulnerable populations. These developments have drawn strong criticism from legal and advocacy groups who warn that the Court and administration actions collectively jeopardize public health, civil rights, and economic security for millions of Americans.