Arguments claim South Carolina restrictions may violate patients’ “right” to choose a health provider.
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case between Planned Parenthood and the state of South Carolina this week. State officials prohibited Planned Parenthood from participating in its Medicaid program because it provides abortions to patients. Planned Parenthood has sued the state citing federal law that allows Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their preferred health provider, claiming that right is violated by the state law. South Carolina officials claim this legal interpretation is unreasonable.
Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson suggested that the “right” was created by Congress regardless of the lack of the use of the term in Medicaid law. Justice Kagan said, “The state knows it has an obligation… and the state knows the content of that obligation, which is that every individual has a right to choose their doctor.”
However, Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested that patients might sue if their preferred provider had been removed from Medicaid due to malpractice. She said, “Does it make sense in that circumstance for Congress to have wanted plaintiffs to have a right to come in and sue?”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the justices of the Supreme Court as they consider the claims of patients’ rights to choose their provider under Medicaid law.
- For state officials as they seek to restrict funding to Planned Parenthood.
- For American citizens and public officials to recognize and uphold the sanctity of human life.
Sources: The Hill,
