Congress Cuts Planned Parenthood Funding for One Year

Congress recently passed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' which halts taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood for one year, a move celebrated by some pro-life leaders as a historic win but criticized by others as insufficient since the original proposal had aimed for a decade-long ban. The decision to limit the defunding to just one year, rather than ten, was reportedly influenced by Senate procedural constraints, though specific details remain unclear, disappointing many anti-abortion advocates who had hoped for a more permanent measure. The temporary cut is expected to strip Planned Parenthood of an estimated $700 million in Medicaid funding, potentially forcing the closure of nearly 200 clinics. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains announced it would resume Medicaid appointments after having temporarily halted them due to earlier federal funding uncertainties. The ongoing debate highlights the deep divide over abortion rights and the future of federal funding for organizations that provide such services.