Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah Announce Dismissal of Lawsuit

BOSTON -Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and two Planned Parenthood members - Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah - filed a notice dismissing their lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's unconstitutional "defunding" of Planned Parenthood health centers. The goal of this lawsuit has always been to help Planned Parenthood patients get the care they deserve from their trusted provider. Based on the 1st Circuit's decision, it is clear that this lawsuit is no longer the best way to accomplish that goal.

The law trying to block patients from using their Medicaid insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers was signed in July and has been in effect and enforceable since September. The "defund" provision, part of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," is part of this administration's unprecedented weaponizing of the federal government against Planned Parenthood. These relentless attacks go beyond policies that are hostile to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and target Planned Parenthood specifically and intentionally. The administration has also withheld Title X Family Planning grant funds from nine Planned Parenthood members, and is now trying to force Planned Parenthood members to repay their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

"President Trump and his allies in Congress have weaponized the federal government to target Planned Parenthood at the expense of patients - stripping people of the care they rely on. Through every attack, Planned Parenthood has never lost sight of its focus: ensuring patients can get the care they need from the provider they trust. That will never change. Care continues, as does our commitment to fighting for everyone's freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures."

Statement from Dominique Lee, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts:

"At Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, we believe reproductive health care is a right, not a privilege. While President Trump and his allies in Congress continue to try to cut off access to essential care, we will keep doing what we always do: delivering exceptional, affordable health care to all who want it and fighting for every patient's right to control their body and their future."

Statement from Shireen Ghorbani, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah:

"For 56 years, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah has provided essential health care to generations of Utahns, and we've done so with compassion and an unwavering commitment to our mission. We've never backed down from a fight, and we aren't backing down now, even in the face of a new attack from our state legislature to permanently block Medicaid patients from using their insurance at our health centers. We are not going anywhere. We will continue to see patients and deliver on our mission to provide high-quality care and education to everyone who needs it, no matter where they live or how much money they make."

The law "defunding" Planned Parenthood is part of anti-abortion lawmakers' years-long strategy to shut down Planned Parenthood health centers and block access to sexual and reproductive health care, including sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, birth control, cancer screenings, and other life-saving health care - including abortion, where legal.

As this Planned Parenthood reportfrom November 2025 shows, the heroic efforts of Planned Parenthood health centers initially shielded the overwhelming majority of patients who rely on Medicaid from the harm of this cruel law. Unfortunately, the consequences for patients will worsen considerably over time as health centers close, costs rise, and access to their trusted provider is pushed further out of reach.

• In September 2025, the first month the "defund" law was enforceable, Planned Parenthood health centers provided more than 100,000 visits to patients who use Medicaid.
• To shield patients from bearing the harm of this unconstitutional law, Planned Parenthood health centers covered the costs of care provided for an overwhelming majority of their patients who use Medicaid, an estimated $45 million in care in September alone.
• In 2025, 51 Planned Parenthood health centers closedacross 18 states - leaving patients with fewer options for essential health care, including birth control, abortion, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, primary care, and behavioral health services.
• Half of the overall Planned Parenthood health center closuresand a majority of rural health center closures in the last year happened in the Midwest- worsening existing health inequities and care deserts.
• Nearly 75% of closures were in rural, medically underserved (MUA), or health professional shortage areas (HPSA) for primary care.*
• Since July 4, when President Trump signed the "defund" provision into law, 23 health centers have been forced to close.

A link to the filing can be found here.

*Rural area, medically underserved area (MUA), or health professional shortage area (HPSA) are categories defined by federal agencies - including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Census Bureau (Census), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - to identify areas where health care access is already severely limited.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) is Massachusetts' leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion, and has been a leader in promoting sexual health for more than 90 years. We believe that all people deserve the information and expert services to make informed, personal decisions that affect their health, their lives and their futures. The mission of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is to ensure every person in the state has access to sexual and reproductive health care and education no matter who they are, where they live, or who they love. Our work is informed by research, powered by advocacy, and conducted with compassion and respect.

At Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, we believe that every Utahn deserves to choose their own path to a healthy and meaningful life. For 55 years, we've provided high-quality, affordable, and compassionate reproductive health care and education to thousands of Utahns at six health centers across the state. For more information, visit us online atppau.org.