Appeals Court Upholds Medicaid Funding Freeze for Planned Parenthood

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration can move forward with a policy to block Medicaid funding from being allocated to Planned Parenthood. This decision overturns a lower court’s preliminary injunction that had previously halted the implementation of the funding freeze. The ruling was issued by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday.

This legal battle originates from a provision included in a significant legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025. The law prohibits Medicaid funding for organizations that provide abortion services, which includes Planned Parenthood. The Department of Health and Human Services had sought to enforce this policy change, but a district court judge intervened, leading to Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit against the administration.

Details of the Court’s Ruling

The three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a brief, two-page order without elaborating on the reasoning behind their decision. Judges Gustavo A. Gelpí, Lara E. Montecalvo, and Seth R. Aframe—all appointed by former President Joe Biden—stated, “The July 21, 2025 preliminary injunction and the July 28, 2025 preliminary injunction are hereby stayed pending disposition of the respective appeals.”

The Trump administration did not respond immediately to requests for comment regarding the ruling.

Planned Parenthood’s President and CEO, Alexis McGill Johnson, expressed strong disapproval of the court’s decision. In a statement, she emphasized the impact on patients, stating, “Those who rely on the essential health care that Planned Parenthood health centers provide can’t plan for their futures, decide where they go for care, or control their lives, bodies, and futures—all because the Trump administration and its backers want to attack Planned Parenthood and shut down health centers.”

Long-Term Implications

The legal context is significant, as federal law has prohibited funding for abortion services for decades, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the pregnant individual is at risk. This new law extends the funding freeze to other critical health services provided by Planned Parenthood, including annual physicals, cancer screenings, and birth control.

Despite the setback, Johnson affirmed that Planned Parenthood intends to continue its fight against what she characterized as unconstitutional legislation. “This is a blow, but the fight isn’t over. For over 100 years, Planned Parenthood has faced unrelenting attacks, but we’re still here providing care, information, and resources,” Johnson stated.

The outcome of this legal challenge and any subsequent appeals will have significant implications for healthcare access, particularly for low-income individuals who rely on Planned Parenthood for essential services. As the situation unfolds, both supporters and opponents of the funding freeze will be closely monitoring the developments in this ongoing legal battle.