Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro Joins 22 States Suing to Block Planned Parenthood Medicaid Defunding

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has joined a coalition of 22 states and Washington, D.C., in suing the Trump administration to block a provision in a recent federal spending bill that defunds Planned Parenthood and other nonprofit abortion providers from receiving Medicaid funding for a year. The provision targets providers that received more than $800,000 in Medicaid funds in 2023, affecting not only abortion services but also essential health services including cancer screenings, contraception, prenatal and postpartum care, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Shapiro described the decision as unconstitutional and warned it could close vital healthcare centers and deny thousands of Pennsylvanians lifesaving care. The lawsuit follows a federal judge's preliminary injunction in Boston that blocked the enforcement of the ban nationwide, noting the potential for adverse health consequences such as increased unintended pregnancies and untreated diseases. The lawsuit argues the provision unfairly singles out Planned Parenthood for its reproductive rights advocacy, violating First Amendment rights and harming Medicaid recipients. Shapiro is the only governor among the plaintiffs, who are otherwise attorneys general, and has been actively involved in multiple legal challenges against the Trump administration's policies.