Federal Judge Allows Medicaid Defunding of Maine Family Planning Clinics

A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump ruled that Maine Family Planning, a network of 18 clinics providing primary and reproductive health care, will not receive Medicaid funding during its ongoing lawsuit challenging Trump administration cuts tied to the “One big beautiful bill.” This law blocked Medicaid funds from flowing to abortion providers, including Maine Family Planning, which argues that abortion services comprise a small fraction of its care and that cutting funds harms broader health services, including gender-affirming care. The judge cited Congress's authority to withhold funds for services not constitutionally protected and emphasized the democratic process behind the bill, contrasting with a separate ruling requiring Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood clinics. Maine Family Planning warned that without Medicaid funds, which nearly half of its patients rely on, it faces potential clinic closures and service reductions that could destabilize Maine’s health infrastructure. The case highlights ongoing legal battles over Medicaid funding for reproductive health providers under President Trump’s administration, with contrasting court decisions affecting similar organizations nationwide.