Oklahoma Halts Medicaid Funding for Abortion Providers After Supreme Court Ruling

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order to prohibit state funding, including Medicaid contracts, from going to abortion providers or organizations affiliated with abortion services, aligning with the state's pro-life policies. This directive follows the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which affirmed states' rights to cut off public funds to abortion providers and prevented Planned Parenthood from suing for Medicaid funding. The order mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to review and revise provider standards, terminate contracts with abortion-affiliated entities, and require providers to disclose any abortion-related involvement. Stitt emphasized that public dollars should not subsidize the abortion industry under the guise of women's health, reflecting Oklahoma's pro-life stance. Planned Parenthood officials criticized the order as political interference that threatens access to essential healthcare services such as cancer screenings and STI treatment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit also upheld Oklahoma's ban on gender dysphoria treatments for minors, reinforcing the state's conservative approach to healthcare policies involving minors and reproductive rights.