Biden Judges Back Trump on Planned Parenthood Defunding

In a surprising turn, three federal appeals judges appointed by former President Joe Biden have unanimously sided with the Trump administration, upholding a key provision in President Donald Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that strips Medicaid funding from major abortion providers, primarily Planned Parenthood affiliates.

 

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, overturns a lower court’s injunction and allows the defunding measure to remain in effect. This marks a rare instance where Biden-appointed judges have ruled in favor of a Trump policy on the contentious issue of abortion funding.

 

Background on the Law

 

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed by President Trump in July 2025, includes a one-year provision barring Medicaid reimbursements to nonprofit organizations that:

• Provide family planning and “reproductive health” services,
• Perform abortions, and
• Received more than $800,000 in Medicaid funds in fiscal year 2023.

 

While the provision doesn’t name Planned Parenthood explicitly, it effectively targets the organization and a handful of its affiliates, as they are the primary entities meeting these criteria. Federal law, via the Hyde Amendment, already prohibits direct taxpayer funding of abortions, but this measure extends the restriction to non-abortion services like cancer screenings and birth control provided by abortion-performing entities.

 

Planned Parenthood quickly challenged the law, warning it could force the closure of dozens of clinics and disrupt care for millions of patients, but will it actually? That has yet to be proven.

 

Lower Court Block Overturned

 

Back in July, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani (an Obama appointee) in Massachusetts issued preliminary injunctions blocking enforcement of the law. She ruled the provision likely constituted an unconstitutional “bill of attainder,” a legislative punishment targeting a specific group without trial, and violated First Amendment rights by burdening affiliates’ freedom of association.

 

The First Circuit stayed Talwani’s injunction in September, allowing the law to take partial effect. As a result, Planned Parenthood reported at least 20-40 clinic closures this year.

 

Appeals Court Ruling: No “Punishment”

 

In a 41-page opinion penned by Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí (another Biden appointee), joined by fellow Biden appointees Judges Lara Montecalvo and Seth Aframe, the panel vacated Talwani’s injunctions and found Planned Parenthood unlikely to succeed on its claims.

 

Key excerpts from Judge Gelpí’s opinion:

 

• The provision “imposes no fine or other penalty for past conduct. Instead, it establishes new conditions on the receipt of appropriated funds in service of a new policy goal favored by Congress… by imposing conditions that [providers] can satisfy by halting abortion services.”
• “It simply does not impose ‘punishment’ as the term has been historically understood.”
• Even acknowledging congressional intent to “defund” Planned Parenthood and the “severe burden” on its operations, Gelpí wrote: “These determinations do not compel the conclusion that [the law] inflicts punishment.”
• Calls to defund are “prospective changes in action,” not retrospective punishment.
• The law uses Congress’s spending power to present a “difficult choice”: forgo Medicaid funds and continue abortions, or retain funds by stopping abortion services.

 

The court also rejected First Amendment claims, adopting a narrow definition of “affiliates” based on corporate control rather than broad partnerships.
Impact and Reactions

 

The provision is temporary, lasting one year, but Planned Parenthood estimates it receives about one-third of its revenue from government sources (including Medicaid). The organization has called the ruling devastating, warning of reduced access to non-abortion care.

 

Pro-life advocates hailed the decision as a victory for taxpayers, arguing no one is entitled to subsidize abortion-related entities.

 

The case returns to the district court for further proceedings, but the defunding can continue in the meantime. Planned Parenthood may seek further appeals, potentially to the full First Circuit or the Supreme Court.

 

This ruling underscores Congress’s broad authority over federal spending, even on divisive issues like abortion, and we should be grateful for their role in making abortion unthinkable.

Thank you for your support.

If you appreciate the work we do to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, please consider giving a gift to help us continue this work. Maranatha!