FACE OUR FEARS: Access to essential healthcare remains out of reach for more and more of us.
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled for the state of South Carolina in its effort to cut off Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, stating that individual Medicaid patients cannot sue to enforce their right to pick a provider. (Source: The Hill)
The court sided with the state, in a 6-3 decision, which was backed by the Trump administration.
This lawsuit was actually not about abortion access, but instead whether or not a Medicaid beneficiary has the right to pick their preferred healthcare provider and sue if they can’t.
The current law stated that “any individual” insured through Medicaid “may obtain” care from any qualified and willing provider. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority that Medicaid recipients do not have the right to sue to enforce that provision.
If only we had universal healthcare… and it is interesting to note that as more people continue to cry out across party lines for this need in our society, the more oppressive the laws become.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) praised the ruling saying: “Seven years ago, we took a stand to protect the sanctity of life and defend South Carolina’s authority and values – and today, we are finally victorious.”
What is the victory here, exactly? Reducing people’s choices around healthcare even further? Finding more ways to slash Medicaid funding for those in need of it most so we can pay for Trump’s tax cuts for the 1%?
Abortion is already outlawed after six weeks of pregnancy in South Carolina, where the ruling will only apply. Many states like Arkansas, Missouri and Texas have already blocked Planned Parenthood from seeing Medicaid patients.
The organization has said it expected many other Republican-led states to do the same if the Supreme Court sided with South Carolina, so expect more lawsuits and more restrictions on access being brought before judges now that the precedence has been set.
REALITY CHECK: Medicaid is already prohibited from paying for almost all abortions.
But it is not enough for these anti-choice legislators playing with people’s lives and enforcing their morality and religious fanaticism on those who are just seeking care.
States are seeking to cut government funding for other services Planned Parenthood provides, as well. South Carolina said the money Planned Parenthood receives for providing other health services “frees up their other funds to provide more abortions.”
Insert eye roll here. Can you imagine if these legislators put this much attention and effort into things like raising the minimum wage and expanding paid leave for all?
“This is not over, and we’ll leave no stone unturned to protect our patients’ access to health care,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, Chief Medical Officer, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Nearly 4,000 men, women, and young people in South Carolina turn to Planned Parenthood for birth control, cancer screenings, and other preventive care each year. For many of our patients, we’re the only health care provider they see. Every person deserves the chance to lead a healthy life, no matter who you are or where you live.”
Planned Parenthood only operates two clinics in the entire state. But because Planned Parenthood was also an abortion provider, McMaster said that it shouldn’t get taxpayer funds.
Tell me one law that has been passed that has controlled men’s health in such a way that it varies from state to state, rendering them second-class citizens just simply by driving over a state line.
Tell me one law that denies men lifesaving treatments because the lawmakers declare that they are “pro-life.” Sound confusing and counterintuitive? Yea, because it is.
These conservative lawmakers and judges have shown us over and over again that they do not care about us. Just recently in Georgia, they used Adriana Smith’s lifeless body as a human incubator for months after she was legally declared brain dead while pregnant. Her family, who asked that she be removed from life support and be shown some dignity, is now saddled with the medical bills thrust upon them.
Here is her family’s GoFund Me page if you want to donate. Some of the comments people have made were heartbreaking:
“Adriana. How deeply I grieve you. I grieve for your lost individuality, your lost autonomy, your lost life. I can never understand how people can only see women as one organ-the uterus- while discrediting their minds and hearts. I hope our communities will fight for you and keep your legacy alive. May your family seek the justice you deserve and may they find the peace they need. No woman in this country should be limited to exist solely for the purpose of reproducing. May your soul rest easy.”
“Adriana deserved better, better treatment, before and after her hospitalization, more compassion throughout it all, to be given more dignity, and it breaks my heart that she didn’t get that. She was a human being, who simply deserved better. I will never forget the name Adriana Smith, and I imagine the world won’t either, and I hope that’s the case.”
“My heart is broken! You deserved better ❤️ We will remember your name and continue fighting for women’s rights!! To the family, please go fight for her IN COURT!!!!!!! ❤️ You can try to put the point across that this was NOT FAIR and can not continue to happen!!”
Abortion for any reason is essential healthcare. I stand with all people in our continued fight for bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. We must fight this because the fall of Roe was just the beginning of the assault on our basic human rights. What we are seeing now with ICE raids, vaccines under attack and gender affirming care being denied are byproducts of the fall of Roe.
We must stand together, united, for everyone to have the right to live their lives on their own terms. To live free from disease, free from forced pregnancy and free from the fear of their families and communities being torn apart.
We all deserve to live healthy, fulfilling lives and to live — and die — with dignity.
Thank you for being a part of my growing community on Substack. I’m truly grateful to everyone who subscribes (2,661 as of this post!) and to my paid subscribers, a special shout-out to you.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
In solidarity,
Natalie
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