22 States Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Parenthood Defunding Provision

A coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit seeking to block a Trump administration provision that defunds Planned Parenthood and similar health care providers.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, targets a measure in President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda package that temporarily prohibits Medicaid reimbursements for services at Planned Parenthood health centers. The restriction applies to a range of services, including cancer screenings, contraception, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, but not abortions.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the policy “purely retaliation against Planned Parenthood for its constitutionally protected advocacy,” adding, “The President and Congress are implementing a cruel, backdoor abortion ban through this provision, putting their political agendas over people’s lives.”

The coalition argues that the measure, which will remain in effect for one year unless overturned, would disrupt preventive health care, raise costs, and disproportionately affect women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color.

New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that the provision violates the Constitution by retaliating against Planned Parenthood’s free speech, forcing states to enforce an unclear federal mandate, and “singling out a group for punishment without due process.”

The legal challenge follows a separate lawsuit in which U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a nationwide pause on the provision’s enforcement earlier this week.

CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.

Credit: CNN Newsource

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.