Planned Parenthood secures injunction against Trump's funding cuts

In the United States, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to Planned Parenthood on July 22, 2025, blocking Medicaid funding cuts from the Trump administration's tax legislation. The legislation aimed to defund Planned Parenthood by cutting off Medicaid payments to abortion providers receiving more than $800,000 in federal reimbursements. Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the law unconstitutionally punishes Planned Parenthood organizations and could affect vital health services for many individuals who rely on the nonprofit for non-abortion related care. The court's ruling came after Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asserting that the legislation would have devastating consequences, forcing the closure of numerous facilities offering essential healthcare to more than one million patients. Judge Talwani pointed out that the bill unfairly penalizes not only those providing abortions but also those who do not, merely due to their affiliation with Planned Parenthood. The judge indicated that the harm to Planned Parenthood—and by extension, its patients—would be significant if the funding cuts were allowed to take effect. Legal representatives for the Trump administration argued that the law was simply a measure to stop federal funding for entities providing abortion services. They asserted that the provision reflected the will of the American voters who desire a restriction on federal funds for such organizations. However, the court found that the plaintiffs demonstrated a significant likelihood of success in their First Amendment arguments, emphasizing that restricting funds based on affiliation with abortion providers violates associational rights. This injunction appears to apply only to certain Planned Parenthood organizations that provide non-abortion related health services or received less than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements. While the organization celebrated this partial win, it expressed disappointment that not all members were granted relief, indicating an ongoing legal battle ahead. Planned Parenthood has emphasized the critical need to protect their services, warning of a public health crisis if the fundings cuts were permitted to materialize. Overall, the judge's recent ruling symbolizes a significant development in the ongoing legal fight surrounding reproductive health funding in the U.S.