New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over a provision in the recent budget reconciliation law, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The coalition claims this provision unlawfully blocks federal Medicaid funding for essential healthcare services provided by Planned Parenthood health centers across the United States, including New Jersey.
Attorney General Platkin and his counterparts are asking the court to stop implementation of what they describe as an unlawful measure that threatens healthcare access for millions of low-income Americans. According to their complaint, this could disrupt preventive care and increase healthcare costs.
Governor Phil Murphy commented on the action, stating: “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. This decision strips away essential care—including comprehensive family planning services, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted disease testing, and more—for some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations. In New Jersey, we will continue to fight to ensure all have access to the healthcare services that they need.”
Attorney General Platkin also issued a statement: “It’s frankly outrageous that Congress and the Trump Administration have targeted essential reproductive health care services for millions of women as part of their radical anti-reproductive freedom agenda. We will not stand idly by as this Administration recklessly threatens access to lifesaving medical care. New Jerseyans rely on Planned Parenthood health centers to receive cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, and wellness exams. This unlawful attempt to block federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood would make those services much harder to access for many of our state’s low-income residents. We are suing to block this unconstitutional statute and restore access to essential reproductive health care in New Jersey.”
The lawsuit aims to halt enforcement of what it calls the “Defund Provision” in the new law signed by President Trump earlier this month. The provision prohibits federal Medicaid reimbursements for certain medical services at Planned Parenthood clinics.
Supporters of Planned Parenthood argue that removing its Medicaid funding puts at risk more than 200 clinics nationwide and could affect over 1.1 million people who may not be able to find alternative providers. In New Jersey alone, two affiliates operate 20 health centers serving tens of thousands through NJ FamilyCare each year. Research from organizations such as the Guttmacher Institute suggests other providers do not have capacity to absorb these patients.
After passage of the Defund Provision, Planned Parenthood Federation of America filed suit against the administration; following expiration of an initial restraining order last week, many clinics lost Medicaid funds until yesterday when a U.S. District Court granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement nationwide.
The current lawsuit contends that Congress exceeded its authority with an ambiguous measure likely leading to increased public health risks—such as delayed diagnoses or unintended pregnancies—and greater costs for state Medicaid programs.
Other states joining in support include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin along with Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania’s governor.
A copy of the lawsuit is available .
