A fiercely pro-choice federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking a provision in President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” that cuts Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, which released a coinciding statement saying that it was “grateful that the court acted swiftly” to work against pro-life legislation.
For background, on July 7, 2025, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee of Massachusetts, issued a two-week restraining order that limits the effectiveness of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” in restricting Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. In the order, Judge Talwani wrote that Planned Parenthood “shall take all steps necessary to ensure that Medicaid funding continues” despite the passing of the bill.
Judge Talwani’s order states that the defendants, in this case Planned Parenthood Federation of America, PPFA members, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, along with “their agents, employees, appointees, successors, and anyone acting in concert or participation with Defendants,” are authorized to make sure that funding continues to be dispersed “in the customary manner.”
Furthermore, in response to the order, the Planned Parenthood Foundation issued a statement expressing its gratitude, saying, “We’re grateful that the court acted swiftly to block this unconstitutional law attacking Planned Parenthood providers and patients.”
The statement continued, “Already, in states across the country, providers and health center staff have been forced to turn away patients who use Medicaid to get basic sexual and reproductive health care because President Trump and his backers in Congress passed a law to block them from going to Planned Parenthood.”
Moreover, the foundation argued that there are “no other providers” that can take its place if the “‘defunding’ of Planned Parenthood is allowed to stand.” The fight is just beginning, and we look forward to our day in court.” Moreover, on the same day, the foundation announced that it had filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration “over this targeted attack on Planned Parenthood health centers and the patients who rely on them for care.”
In addition, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, weighed in on the lawsuit, saying, “This case is about making sure that patients who use Medicaid as their insurance to get birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment can continue to do so at their local Planned Parenthood health center, and we will make that clear in court.”
Furthermore, National Right to Life President Carol Tobias responded to the Planned Parenthood lawsuit with a statement saying that the organization was engaging in “a desperate attempt to maintain their grip on public dollars.” She added, “It’s shameful — but not surprising — that Planned Parenthood is turning to the courts to overturn the will of the people and protect their multimillion-dollar abortion enterprise.”
Featured image credit: Shutterstock