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The legal action seeks to block a new federal law provision that cuts Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood services nationwide.
7-30-2025 12:47pm
NJ Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Challenging Medicaid Funding Ban for Planned Parenthood
NEW JERSEY - New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 21 states in suing the Trump Administration over a newly enacted federal law provision that blocks Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood health centers. The lawsuit, filed in response to the “Defund Provision” within the budget reconciliation measure signed earlier this month, argues that the policy is unconstitutional and would significantly reduce access to essential healthcare services.
The coalition is asking the court to prevent the provision’s implementation, warning that it would disrupt access to preventive care such as cancer screenings, birth control, sexually transmitted infection testing, and wellness exams for low-income Americans. In New Jersey, Planned Parenthood operates 20 health centers that serve tens of thousands of Medicaid patients annually through NJ FamilyCare, the state’s publicly funded health coverage program.
“The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ blocking of Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood health centers is a direct attack on individuals who rely on accessible, affordable healthcare,” Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement. He emphasized that the provision removes critical services “for some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations.”
Attorney General Platkin called the policy “outrageous,” adding that it would make healthcare services “much harder to access for many of our state’s low-income residents.” The lawsuit argues that the provision violates the First Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, and the constitutional prohibition on Bills of Attainder, and it exceeds Congress’ authority under the Spending Clause.
The legal challenge follows a separate lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Earlier this week, a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking enforcement of the Defund Provision, concluding that it was unconstitutional.
If implemented, the provision could affect at least 200 Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide and healthcare for more than 1.1 million people. Research cited in the lawsuit indicates that other healthcare providers do not have the capacity to absorb the patient load currently handled by Planned Parenthood, potentially leading to increased health risks, delayed diagnoses, and higher Medicaid costs for states.
In addition to New Jersey, the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, along with the Governor of Pennsylvania, have joined the lawsuit.
