On June 26, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that allows states to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding, a decision with significant implications for health services in the United States. This ruling is viewed by many, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), as a positive step toward protecting the sanctity of life and ensuring taxpayer dollars are not used to support organizations that provide abortions.
The Supreme Court’s decision reinforces states’ authority to determine how they allocate Medicaid funds, which has been a contentious issue in the ongoing debate over abortion. Many states have sought to defund Planned Parenthood, arguing that the organization’s provision of abortion services disqualifies it from receiving taxpayer support. This ruling aligns with the Church’s commitment to protecting life at all stages and ensuring that public funds are directed toward health care providers that do not engage in or promote abortion. Following the ruling, Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said “Abortion is not health care…publicly funded programs like Medicaid should only support authentic, life-affirming options for mothers and children in need.”
In addition to the Supreme Court ruling, the recently passed federal budget bill cuts off federal funding to Planned Parenthood for one year. This legislation reflects a trend among lawmakers to prioritize funding for health care providers that offer a broader range of services without involving abortion. The USCCB has consistently advocated for such measures, arguing that public funding should support organizations that promote life-affirming health care options. The bishops reiterated the importance of providing women with access to comprehensive health care that does not include abortion, thereby fostering a culture of life.
The impact of these funding cuts is already being felt at the local level. Planned Parenthood recently announced the closure of two centers in Southwest Ohio, citing financial challenges exacerbated by the loss of funding. Laura Strietmann, Executive Director of Cincinnati Right to Life shared, “Every time a Planned Parenthood closes, lives are saved and fewer lies are told. Ohioans do not need this preborn child-killing business. Women need love, support, and true healthcare at one of the hundreds of other Federally Qualified Health Centers or from one of Ohio’s many free pregnancy centers.”
In summary, the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing states to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding, along with the recent federal legislation cutting off federal funding for one year, marks a significant shift in the landscape of public funding of abortion in the United States. As Catholics, we praise these developments as steps toward fostering a culture of life. Let us continue to pray that these real developments will result in a cultural understanding that, as we have always said, abortion is not healthcare, and women deserve better.