Denver calls for return of federal funding for Planned Parenthood

By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

Denver has signed on to an amicus brief looking to protect federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

The Mile High City joined more than a dozen Democrat-run cities and counties on the brief to support a challenge against funding cuts to Planned Parenthood in the “Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed this summer.

“In Denver, we will always fight for the rights of women to access contraception and reproductive care,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “We are proud to join this amicus brief to push back on President Trump and the Big Beautiful Bill’s unconstitutional targeting of Planned Parenthood and to ensure women receive quality, life-saving care regardless of their ability to pay.”

The Republican-pushed legislation blocks Medicaid payments (i.e. federal funding) for one year to any healthcare provider that received over $800,000 in federal Medicaid payments in 2023 and is primarily involved in “family planning” services, is a nonprofit organization or provides abortions.

As a large national organization, Planned Parenthood fell under that description. That means its patients might not be able to use their Medicaid insurance for any of the services it provides, including those besides abortion.

On July 7, just days after the bill’s passage, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, among others. They argued this restriction is unconstitutional because it violates their right to freedom of association.

A federal court issued two preliminary injunctions that same month, blocking the funding cuts while the legal proceedings continue. In September, just before the cuts were set to go into effect on Oct. 1, a federal appeals court put a hold on that injunction.

That allowed the funding cut off to continue, meaning that, at this time, federal Medicaid payments are not allowed to go to Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Also in July, 22 states united to file a similar lawsuit to try to protect the funding. Colorado was one of those states.

Some states, like Colorado, have also stepped in to supplement Planned Parenthood’s funding. In August, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill providing state funding for Medicaid payments to providers in the state like Planned Parenthood.

Denver supported this in a statement though expressing concern that it was necessary.

“Though welcome, the fact that Colorado may have to step in to ensure clinics continue to operate means there could be less funding for other Colorado and Denver priorities,” it said. “This is especially notable given the funding gap experienced by state and local governments.”

Ultimately, while it is unclear how the lawsuits will play out, in June, the U.S. Supreme Court did rule that states have the right to exclude abortion providers like Planned Parenthood from state Medicaid programs. That could open the door up to similar federal restrictions.