How far can red states go to oppose Planned Parenthood? Supreme Court debates Medicaid restrictions

TheSupremeCourtonWednesdaydebatedonestate’sefforttokeeppublicmoneyawayfromPlannedParenthoodandtherightsofindividualpatientstosuewhenthateffortinterfereswiththeirpersonalmedicalchoices. InMedinav.PlannedParenthoodSouthAtlantic,thecourtisconsideringwhetherMedicaidrecipientsinSouthCarolinahavealegalrighttochallengeastateorderprohibitingMedicaidfundsfromgoingtoabortionproviders.Beforetheorderwentintoeffect,patientswerecoveredwhentheywenttoPlannedParenthoodfornon-abortionservices,likecancerscreeningsandbloodpressurechecks. DuringoralargumentsonWednesday,thecourtdebatedwhetherthefederalMedicaidActgivesindividualMedicaidrecipientstherighttotrytoforcechangestoastate’slistofqualifiedprovidersthroughlegalaction. AtleastfiveoftheninejusticesseemedskepticalofSouthCarolina’sclaimthatthere’snoindividualrighttobringalawsuitunderthefederallaw. “Justices,includingChiefJusticeJohnG.Roberts,Jr.,andNeilM.