Heinrich, Luján back bill to restore Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood

Legislation seeks to repeal GOP-backed provision blocking reimbursements for services at the nonprofit’s clinics

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, both Democrats from New Mexico, have joined a group of Senate colleagues in introducing the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, which would repeal a Republican-backed provision that blocks Medicaid reimbursements for health services provided at Planned Parenthood clinics.

The measure, part of legislation supporters call the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” has drawn criticism from opponents who say it could put nearly 200 Planned Parenthood clinics at risk of closure nationwide, affecting care for more than two million patients each year. Planned Parenthood provides services including STI testing, breast exams, birth control, HPV vaccines, mental health screening and other health care.

The provision is currently on hold following a federal court injunction issued July 28. Before the injunction, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains canceled nearly 1,000 appointments for Medicaid patients in New Mexico and Colorado. Last year, about 34% of patients at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains were covered by Medicaid in New Mexico.

Heinrich said the bill seeks to reverse a provision he believes will endanger health care access for millions.

“On top of kicking tens of millions off their health care, Trump and Republicans’ Big, Bad Bill also directly attacks the reproductive health clinics millions rely on,” Heinrich said. “The consequences of this will be deadly. We need to hold Republicans accountable for their cruelty and fight back. This legislation is part of that, seeking to reverse Republicans’ deadly provision and allow Planned Parenthood to receive Medicaid funding to provide cancer screenings, medical testing and treatment, birth control, and other reproductive health services.”

Luján pointed to the role Planned Parenthood plays in delivering health care to millions across the country.

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans turned their backs on the American people by pushing through their Budget Betrayal, which will strip health coverage from millions and directly targets care at reproductive health clinics across the country,” Luján said. “Across the country, Planned Parenthood plays a vital role in delivering essential health services to millions of Americans, and with the stroke of a pen, the resources needed to provide care were ripped away. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to restore Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood and reverse the attacks on health care embedded in the Republican Budget Betrayal.”

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act is sponsored by Sens. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Patty Murray of Washington, and co-sponsored by more than two dozen other Senate Democrats and Independents. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House.