Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 26, 2025 – Today, in a new decision (Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic), the Supreme Court has made it harder for people in South Carolina with Medicaid coverage to choose their health care provider and limited their ability to challenge that restriction in court. The decision now opens the door for other states to exclude Planned Parenthood from their state Medicaid programs.
“Today’s decision is devastating for women in South Carolina who receive their health insurance through Medicaid and can no longer freely choose Planned Parenthood as their covered provider,” said Jocelyn Frye, President of National Partnership for Women & Families. “Make no mistake: this is an attack on women, and specifically women with low incomes, who are the backbone of this country and deserve access to affordable reproductive and other essential health care.
“Without true freedom to choose their own provider and the ability to seek justice through the courts, people risk losing access to trusted, culturally responsive health care, including birth control, STI testing, and cancer screenings.
“This opinion emboldens state Medicaid programs to cut access to other types of health care – prioritizing politics and ideology rather than people’s health needs. As other challenges to Medicaid and Planned Parenthood loom large, we will continue to champion the right of people who rely on Medicaid to make their own health care decisions.
“The National Partnership is committed to this fight for the long haul and we will remain vigilant against attacks on Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, and the fundamental health care needs of all Americans.”
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