Supreme Court takes up bid to defund Planned Parenthood

ThebattleovertaxpayerfundingforPlannedParenthoodtakescenterstageattheU.S.SupremeCourtonWednesdayinadisputeoverSouthCarolina’sexclusionofthegroupfromthestateMedicaidprogrambecauseitprovidesabortions. OnthelineistheabilityofMedicaidbeneficiariestofreelychooseahealthcareprovider,includingphysiciansatPlannedParenthoodwhoprovideservicesotherthanabortion,likecontraceptiontreatmentsandcancerscreenings. SouthCarolina’stwoPlannedParenthoodclinicshaveservedmostlylow-income,minoritywomenformorethan40years.HundredsoftheirpatientsareMedicaidrecipients. ThecasealsoimplicatesthemillionsoffederaldollarsPlannedParenthoodreceivesintheformofreimbursementsfortreatingMedicaidpatientseachyear. AccordingtoPlannedParenthood,34%ofitsoverallrevenue,or$699million,comesfromgovernmentgrants,contracts,andMedicaidfunds. In2018,SouthCarolina’sRepublicangovernorHenryMcMasterissuedexecutiveordersdisqualifyingPlannedParenthoodfromreceivingMedicaidre