Case Would Influence 2016 Mississippi Law Barring Medicaid Funding for Abortion Providers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) is among two dozen Senators who have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case involving the use of Medicaid funding to support abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.

Hyde-Smith has signed an amicus brief that encourages the Supreme Court to consider Gee v. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Inc. et al, a case that directly affects Mississippi's efforts to prohibit Medicaid funding from going to any healthcare provider that provides abortions.

"The Mississippi legislature rightly passed a law to stop using Medicaid resources, or taxpayer dollars, to support groups like Planned Parenthood that provide abortions. This brief supports the contention that such laws are constitutional. I hope the Supreme Court takes up this review and allows such laws to stand," Hyde-Smith said.

The amicus brief, which was led by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), challenges a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals interpretation of "congressional intent" and "state sovereignty" when it struck down a Louisiana law prohibiting Medicaid funding for healthcare providers that perform abortions.

A Mississippi statute similar to the Louisiana law was passed in 2016 with the support of Governor Phil Bryant. It has been blocked in district court.

In addition to the Senators, 66 members of the House of Representatives also signed the amicus brief including Representatives Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.).

Earlier this month, Hyde-Smith and Wicker were among 41 Senators who signed a letter asking the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to write regulations to bar Title X Family Planning Program grantees from co-locating with abortion clinics, or from promoting, or referring clients for abortions. President Trump has since directed HHS to issue new regulations to ensure Title X funding does not support abortions.

Read this original document at: https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/content/hyde-smith-signs-brief-urging-supreme-court-review-planned-parenthood-case