Hartford, CT — July 29, 2025 — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is taking a stand against what he calls a “mean-spirited attack” on reproductive healthcare. Tong declared today that Connecticut is becoming part of a coalition of 23 states that is suing the Trump administration regarding a recently passed law that cuts federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the so-called “Defund Provision” of the recently signed budget reconciliation law, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill” by President Trump. The regulation directly affects organizations such as Planned Parenthood, prohibiting Medicaid reimbursements for vital services including cancer screenings, contraception, and STI testing at facilities that also provide abortion services that are not funded by federal Medicaid.
Attorney General Tong didn’t mince words in his rebuke of the law: “Interfering with people’s healthcare means risking their lives,” Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said. “The State of Connecticut will not be a tool for this Administration’s unlawful agenda.”
Planned Parenthood officials echoed those concerns. “Every person, no matter where they live or how much money they have, deserves high-quality, affordable healthcare,” said Gretchen Raffa, Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “We are grateful to Attorney General Tong for standing up to protect the reproductive freedom and well-being of our patients.”
“The federal government is once again playing politics with our health care system, with devastating consequences,” said New York Attorney General James. “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.”
“Planned Parenthood is a critical provider of essential health care,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “Without Planned Parenthood, many in our state and across the nation would be left with no access to life-saving screenings and reproductive care. I will continue advocating for vital federal funding that ensures every person in Illinois has access to the health care services they need.”
The lawsuit alleges that the Defund Provision is both unconstitutional and dangerously vague. It defines “prohibited entities” in a way that effectively singles out Planned Parenthood—nonprofits that primarily provide reproductive health services, received more than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in FY2023, and provide abortion services not covered under federal Medicaid guidelines.
According to the coalition, the implications of the law could be severe. Over 1.1 million Americans—many of whom are low-income—might lose access to essential healthcare services, including more than 24,000 Medicaid patients who depend on Planned Parenthood in Connecticut alone. A report from the Guttmacher Institute cautions that other healthcare providers, like Federally Qualified Health Centers, do not have the capacity to bridge the significant care gap.
Despite Planned Parenthood achieving a partial legal victory last week when a federal court determined that the provision infringes on the First Amendment and Equal Protection Clause, the majority of clinics still find themselves cut off from Medicaid funding. Currently, the coalition led by Attorney General Tong is advancing its own legal challenge, highlighting the wider implications for state health systems and budgets.
The lawsuit contends that the provision breaches Congress’ Spending Clause authority and is projected to cost states approximately $30 million in additional Medicaid expenses over the next five years and $52 million over the next decade—largely due to delayed cancer and STI diagnoses and an increase in unintended pregnancies.
“The broad attempt to cut Washingtonians’ access to Planned Parenthood means more unscreened cancers, more untreated sexually transmitted diseases, and more unintended pregnancies,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “The Trump Administration’s punitive actions will have real ramifications for Washingtonians. While the governor has agreed to make state funding available to cover any lost federal funds to Planned Parenthood, these are precious state funds that Washington should not have to divert. My office will do everything it can to stop this unlawful stripping of Medicaid funding.”
“Let me be clear: Federal funds don’t pay for abortions. This provision is purely retaliation against Planned Parenthood for its constitutionally protected advocacy for abortion care. The President and Congress are implementing a cruel, backdoor abortion ban through this provision, putting their political agendas over people’s lives,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “This will wreak havoc on healthcare services from cancer screenings to STI testing for millions of Americans who have nowhere else to turn. California will continue to lead as a reproductive freedom state — and we will be there every single time the federal administration tries to strip away your healthcare rights and ignore the rule of law.”
“PPAC is grateful for the support of California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state attorneys general to ensure that patients who rely on Medicaid can continue to access the full range of sexual and reproductive health care services at Planned Parenthood health centers. The Defund Provision is a direct attack by the Trump administration and the GOP-led Congress on not only Planned Parenthood, but also on Reproductive Freedom States like California, where we value and prioritize access to reproductive health care,” said Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO and President Jodi Hicks. “Planned Parenthood health centers are a critical part of reproductive health care access in California, which is why the impacts of this federal defund will reverberate throughout the state – cutting off access to live-saving health care services for our most vulnerable communities. Despite the challenges we face, PPAC will continue to fight back against this unjust defund, and work with our state leaders to ensure that every Californian can access the care they need, when they need it, no matter what.”
Joining Connecticut in this lawsuit are attorneys general from states such as California, New York, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, along with the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in his official role.
As the legal confrontation intensifies, advocates for reproductive rights and public health officials caution that the outcome could reshape healthcare access for millions of Americans.
