(Washington, D.C.): Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Carolina in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, by a 6-3 majority. By siding with Medina, the director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the court rejected Planned Parenthood’s implied right of action claim, indicating the abortion business cannot challenge the State’s decision on the qualification of Medicaid providers in their borders in federal court.
South Carolina can defund Planned Parenthood and other abortion businesses deemed unqualified to receive Medicaid reimbursement without the risk of federal court litigation and possible attorneys’ fees. By freeing up funding that has previously been tied to abortion, South Carolina can redirect taxpayer dollars to authentic women’s healthcare, filling gaps in the State’s public health system, including the many federally qualified health centers giving women real choices.
Carolyn McDonnell, Litigation Counsel for Americans United for Life (AUL), stated, “The Supreme Court held that Planned Parenthood doesn’t have a right to bring this type of lawsuit in federal court. This is a win not only for South Carolina, but for the pro-life movement by channeling public funding into authentic women’s healthcare instead of abortion businesses.”
Furthermore, Steven H. Aden, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for AUL, emphasized, “Allowing South Carolina to determine the quality of health care it allocates taxpayer dollars to is essential to uphold the ‘culture of life’ that most of the state’s citizens support. Building a culture of truly comprehensive care for women and children is essential to promoting life in the States.”
AUL is willing and prepared to work alongside states that are ready to declare abortion businesses in their state as unqualified to gorge on taxpayer dollars, and to promote authentic healthcare that points women toward more than just abortion-on-demand.
For more information or to arrange an interview with AUL, contact Gavin Oxley at press@aul.org or 202-987-3321.
Since 1971, Americans United for Life (AUL) has advanced the human right to life in culture, law, and policy by equipping advocates and lawmakers with the facts and strategies that change hearts and minds and protect human life. The first national pro-life organization in the country, AUL is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
