A federal appeals court has just delivered a major blow to reproductive health care across the country. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has upheld a Trump-era policy that blocks more than 1.1 million patients from using Medicaid at Planned Parenthood health centers.
This decision could force up to 200 Planned Parenthood locations nationwide to shut down, putting essential care out of reach for people who rely on Medicaid to cover birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing, and more.
In Albany, the impact is immediate. Chelly Hegan, President and CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, didn’t hold back. “The First Circuit allowed the Trump administration to defund Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood,” she said in a statement. “Patients may be confused or concerned, but know this: the fight is not over.”
Hegan made it clear that access to trusted, affordable health care should not be tied to politics. She added that personal medical decisions should always stay between patients and their providers.
The lawsuit at the center of this fight claims the defunding move is a direct attempt to punish Planned Parenthood for its role in providing legal abortion services and speaking out on reproductive rights. It argues that this is a political decision dressed up as policy — and it violates constitutional protections.
In New York, the fallout could be severe. Medicaid is a lifeline for reproductive health care, especially for low-income and marginalized communities. State officials are now scrambling to find ways to cover the $35 million in federal Medicaid funding that Planned Parenthood affiliates across New York stand to lose.
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and other branches are working with state leaders to keep doors open and services available, but the clock is ticking.
Unbiased Take:
Whether you support Planned Parenthood or not, this ruling sets a precedent about who gets to decide where patients use their insurance. For many, this isn’t just about politics — it’s about survival, dignity, and basic health care access. As the legal battle continues, the real question is what happens to the millions of people caught in the middle.
