Louisiana Right to Life Celebrates U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Medina Case
Decision Opens Door for Louisiana to Finally End Public Funding to Abortion-Business Organizations Like Planned Parenthood
Baton Rouge – Louisiana Right to Life today applauds the United States Supreme Court for its ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, a landmark decision affirming the right of states to determine which providers are eligible to participate in Medicaid programs.
“It’s time for Louisiana to end the funding of Planned Parenthood. The Medina decision is a victory for life, for states’ rights, and for the people of Louisiana,” said Erica Inzina, J.D., Policy Director of Louisiana Right to Life. “The decision gives Louisiana the clear legal authority to end taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood, an organization whose business model revolves around the destruction of unborn children.”
Louisiana Right to Life emphasized that Planned Parenthood losing funding in Louisiana would not harm women’s access to legitimate healthcare services. Hundreds of providers across the state—including Federally Qualified Health Centers, parish health units, non-profit clinics, and OB/GYN practices—deliver comprehensive women’s health services without promoting abortion. Furthermore, Planned Parenthood only has facilities in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, far from maternal healthcare deserts located in rural areas.
“Planned Parenthood wants people to believe that it is indispensable. That’s simply false,” Inzina added. “The truth is, Louisiana has a robust network of providers offering women’s health service—without entanglement in abortion. Women will not lose access to care when Planned Parenthood funding ends.”
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling clarifies that Medicaid recipients cannot sue states under federal law to force participation by specific healthcare providers, such as Planned Parenthood. The Court affirmed that states have discretion to define which providers meet their legal and ethical standards.
Prior to Medina, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has upheld similar state-level authority in various cases that recognize that states may exclude providers from Medicaid based on violations of law or conflict with public health policy—further validating Louisiana’s position. Louisiana law already reflects this authority. Under La. R.S. 40:1061.29, public funds may not be used to subsidize abortion services or any organization affiliated with the abortion industry.
Over the last five years, Planned Parenthood and its affiliates received more than $5.1 million in state-directed Medicaid payments. While Planned Parenthood has not performed abortion in Louisiana, they have continued to facilitate out-of-state abortion travel and promote the availability of mail-order abortion pills.
“Every dollar that goes to Planned Parenthood subsidizes their national abortion business that sells more than 402,000 abortion annually,” Inzina continued. “Louisiana taxpayers should never again have to send their hard-earned money to the abortion industry.”
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