Federal judge temporarily hinders Trump administration from implementing funding restriction against Planned Parenthood organization.
In a significant turn of events, a federal judge has temporarily halted the enforcement of a provision in President Donald Trump's domestic policy law that aimed to cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. The judge's decision, issued by US District Judge Indira Talwani, partially grants Planned Parenthood's request for a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration.
Judge Talwani, a Barack Obama appointee, issued a temporary restraining order the same day Planned Parenthood filed their lawsuit, and later extended this into a preliminary injunction. This injunction applies to certain Planned Parenthood affiliates—those not providing abortion services from October 1, 2025, or receiving less than $800,000 in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2023.
The Trump administration has strongly disputed the injunction and plans to appeal the order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The administration argues that Planned Parenthood’s constitutional claims lack merit and that the legislation reflects the democratic will as enacted by Congress and signed by the President.
The measure, part of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," signed into law on July 4, bars Medicaid users from coverage with a health care provider that also provides abortion services. However, the order does not apply to all Planned Parenthood members.
Planned Parenthood groups have expressed gratitude for the court's recognition of the harm caused by the law, but are disappointed that not all members were granted the necessary relief. The organisation has warned that nearly 200 clinics nationwide could close due to the bill's ban on funds.
The judge's order states that there is no evidentiary support for the suggestion that Planned Parenthood entities share funds that are ultimately used for abortions. The legislation does not explicitly mention Planned Parenthood, but it prohibits federal funding for providers "primarily engaged in family planning services, reproductive health, and related medical care" that also provide abortion services.
In addition to the ongoing legal battle over the defunding provision, Planned Parenthood is also fighting the Trump administration in court over cuts to a federal teen pregnancy prevention program. Lawyers for five Planned Parenthood networks argued in a federal District of Columbia court this June that the administration's changes to the program were vague and could bar Planned Parenthood from providing longtime services.
As the case remains ongoing, both parties await a final ruling. CNN has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for comment.
- The temporary halt in the enforcement of the politics related provision in President Donald Trump's domestic policy law, which aimed to cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, has sparked a legal battle between Planned Parenthood and the Trump administration in the realm of policy-and-legislation.
- Beyond the ongoing legal battle over the defunding provision, Planned Parenthood is also grappling with the Trump administration in court over the cuts to a federal teen pregnancy prevention program, which falls under general-news and health-and-wellness, particularly women's health.
- Despite the Trump administration's argument that the legislation reflects the democratic will, Judge Talwani's order, issued in science-related areas like health-and-wellness and policy-and-legislation, does not explicitly mention Planned Parenthood but prevents federal funding for providers primarily engaged in family planning and reproductive health that also offer abortion services.
