The United States Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments for a lawsuit that will determine whether South Carolina and other states can deny Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood for non-abortive medical services.
Under the Hyde Amendment, federal Medicaid funds cannot be used to cover elective abortions, but federal law does not restrict abortion clinics, such as Planned Parenthood facilities, from receiving Medicaid funds for other services they offer. Under the federal law, “any individual eligible for medical assistance… may obtain such assistance from any [doctor or health care provider] qualified to perform the service or services required.”
At oral argument, attorneys for Planned Parenthood claimed that this provision imposes “a mandatory obligation” on South Carolina and all other states to fund the non-abortion services. The attorney representing South Carolina told the justices that states have the authority to set their own eligibility requirements and argued that the federal law does not establish an absolute “right” to receive services from any medical provider.
The US Supreme Court typically finishes hearing cases in April, and issues its opinions in June. Further details of the oral argument can be found here at the Catholic News Agency website.