Planned Parenthood Restores Medicaid Billing After Year-Long Defunding

On Sunday, Planned Parenthood and two regional family-planning providers restored Medicaid billing for non-abortion services after a year-long suspension imposed by the defunding provision of President Donald Trump’s 2022 tax law. Not all previously cut services will return.

Associated Press

The suspension followed the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning *Roe v. Wade*, which allowed states to enforce abortion bans and increased financial pressure on providers. The defunding rule barred Medicaid reimbursement for any organization performing abortions and receiving over $800,000 in annual Medicaid funds.

Associated Press

Planned Parenthood closed nearly 30 of its ~600 clinics, cutting birth-control pill distribution by 25 % and breast-cancer screenings by 20 %. Maine Family Planning shut three primary-care sites serving ~1,000 patients, creating four- to six-month wait times. Wisconsin paused abortions for a month to regain Medicaid payments, and Arizona halted many Medicaid services; Massachusetts reported no loss.

Associated Press

Planned Parenthood says state governments have filled the federal gap in 14 states. Angela Vasquez-Giroux of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund said the cuts limited abortion access. Evelyn Kieltyka, senior vice president of program services at Maine Family Planning, noted the difficulty of rebuilding staff. Michelle Quesada, vice president of communications for Planned Parenthood Florida, called the funding environment a “yo-yo effect.” The Arizona affiliate also received a grant from the Melinda Gates Foundation to expand hours and telehealth.

Associated Press

Pro-life advocates urge Congress to adopt another defunding policy. Kelsey Pritchard, spokesperson for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the Republican base supports defunding Planned Parenthood and called for renewed action against abortion providers.

Associated Press

Medicaid billing has resumed for many services, but some clinics—e.g., a closed Lakeland, Florida site—are unlikely to reopen, and the scope of reimbursable services remains uncertain.

Associated Press

• “When you close something down and you lose positions, it’s very difficult to bring that back and build it back up again.” — Evelyn Kieltyka, Senior Vice President of Program Services, Maine Family Planning

Associated Press

• “There’s no telling with this uncertainty. It’s like a yo-yo effect.” — Michelle Quesada, Vice President of Communications, Planned Parenthood Florida

Associated Press

• “They’ve defunded Big Abortion before, and they should do everything in their power to do it again.” — Kelsey Pritchard, Spokesperson, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America

Associated Press

• “Most general election voters don’t want the organization to be defunded.” — Planned Parenthood (summarized statement)

Associated Press

Abortion opponents continue to press Congress for further defunding, while Planned Parenthood affiliates plan expanded hours and telehealth where Medicaid billing is restored; state supplements may persist, but federal policy remains contested.

Associated Press