New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania in a lawsuit aimed at blocking a provision in the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA). The lawsuit alleges that the federal law unlawfully targets Planned Parenthood by prohibiting Medicaid funding to non-profit health care clinics that meet certain criteria—criteria that largely apply to Planned Parenthood locations.
Attorney General James stated, “The federal government is once again playing politics with our health care system, with devastating consequences. This administration’s shameful and illegal targeting of Planned Parenthood will make it harder for millions of people to get the health care they need. New York will not be bullied into enforcing this unconstitutional attack on health care and reproductive freedom.”
According to the attorney general’s office, Planned Parenthood is an important part of New York’s Medicaid provider network. In 2023, 89,000 New Yorkers who were enrolled in Medicaid received services at Planned Parenthood clinics. These services included testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, cancer screenings, and contraceptive care. Officials warn that eliminating Medicaid funding could significantly limit access to these services for low-income residents, young people, and communities of color.
The lawsuit argues that the OBBA forces states into a difficult position: either exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid altogether—potentially causing clinic closures—or use state funds to maintain services while giving up significant federal support. The coalition contends this action represents an effort by federal officials to penalize Planned Parenthood for its advocacy regarding abortion rights.
Federal law already prohibits using Medicaid funds for abortion procedures. However, legislative records cited by Attorney General James indicate that the new measure is intended specifically to defund Planned Parenthood rather than enforce existing restrictions.
The legal challenge claims several constitutional violations: retaliation against protected speech under the First Amendment; improper coercion under the Spending Clause; and violation of the Constitution’s prohibition on bills of attainder by singling out one group without due process.
The coalition seeks a court order declaring the OBBA provision unconstitutional and preventing its enforcement.
Other states joining New York in this lawsuit include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington State, Wisconsin; as well as the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.
