Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a provision in a recently enacted budget reconciliation law that blocks Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. Ford is joined by 22 other attorneys general and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in challenging what they describe as the “Defund Provision.”
The provision prevents Medicaid reimbursements for services provided at Planned Parenthood health centers, including cancer screenings, birth control, and testing for sexually transmitted infections. The coalition argues that this measure will disrupt access to preventive healthcare for millions of low-income Americans, particularly women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color.
“This targeted attack on Planned Parenthood will have disastrous consequences for the health and safety of Nevadans," said AG Ford. "In addition, the bill’s restrictions on funding to Planned Parenthood overstep the legal authority of Congress. This unconstitutional attack shows a complete lack of concern by this administration and many members of Congress for the ability of Americans to access needed health care services. I will not let them strip away these services from Nevadans without a fight."
The law in question was signed last month by President Donald Trump. One section bars federal Medicaid funding for essential medical services provided at Planned Parenthood locations across the country.
Advocates say that removing federal support threatens around 200 Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide and could affect more than 1.1 million patients who may not have other options for care. Although some lawmakers have argued that other providers can absorb these patients, research from the Guttmacher Institute indicates alternative clinics do not have sufficient capacity to meet demand.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America previously sued over the ban on Medicaid reimbursements. After a temporary restraining order expired last week, most clinics lost access to those funds until July 28, when a court granted an injunction against enforcement of the Defund Provision. The court found that it violated several constitutional protections, including the First Amendment and Equal Protection Clause.
In their complaint filed today, Ford and his counterparts argue that the provision is vague and violates congressional spending powers. They warn it could increase public health risks through delayed diagnoses and unintended pregnancies while raising state Medicaid costs by an estimated $30 million over five years and $52 million over ten years.
Joining Nevada in this lawsuit are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.