Attorney General Clark Sues Trump Administration for Blocking Planned Parenthood Funding

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Attorney General Charity Clark sued the Trump Administration today over a provision of the budget reconciliation law (referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill”) that specifically targets Planned Parenthood funding. The so-called “Defund Provision” of the law blocks federal Medicaid funding for essential medical services – such as cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and wellness exams – provided at Planned Parenthood health centers. The provision is a direct attack on the health care access of millions of low-income Americans, disproportionally harming women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color.

The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Clark and a coalition of 22 other states, argues that the Defund Provision is impermissibly ambiguous and violates Congress’ Spending Clause power. The coalition is asking the court to stop the Trump Administration from implementing this unlawful provision, which will lead to widespread disruptions in preventative care and increase health care costs if allowed to stand.

“I remain fully committed to protecting Vermonters’ access to reproductive and preventive health care,” said Attorney General Clark. “In a rural state like ours – where medical providers are few and far between – the loss of Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood will leave Vermonters without access to basic care. The Defund Provision is both unlawful and unconstitutional, and I will fight it every step of the way.”

Defunding Planned Parenthood threatens at least 200 health centers nationwide, affecting health care for more than 1.1 million people, many of whom are unlikely to be able to receive care elsewhere. In Vermont, Planned Parenthood is a major provider of reproductive health and preventative services, with six health centers located across the state as well as options for telehealth appointments.

Earlier this month, Planned Parenthood Federation of America filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging the ban on Medicaid reimbursements. However, after a temporary restraining order enjoining the Defund Provision expired last week, most Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide became cut off from Medicaid funding. Yesterday, the court granted Planned Parenthood’s injunction in full, ruling that the Defund Provision violates the First Amendment, the Equal Protection clause, and the prohibition on Bills of Attainder in the U.S. Constitution.

In Vermont, Medicaid insures approximately 200,000 people with total expenditures of approximately $2.4 billion – approximately 62% of which comes from federal funding. Vermont Medicaid includes coverage for reproductive health and preventative services, and Planned Parenthood plays a critical role in delivering that care.

“While this preliminary injunction is welcome news, this case and this fight are far from over,” said Jessica Barquist, Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) and Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund. “PPNNE is fortunate to operate in states where abortion remains legal, and we applaud the leadership in Vermont, like Attorney General Clark, who refuse to back down in the face of these attacks. At Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the health and well-being of our patients is our top priority. We remain committed to providing care to anyone who comes to us, no matter what. During these turbulent times, we know our Medicaid insured patients won’t be able to access care elsewhere, which is why our commitment to see them is so critical. And let’s be clear: the decision to prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for our non-abortion services is politically motivated. For now, our doors are open, and we will continue to provide compassionate, nonjudgemental health care at our health centers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.”

Joining Attorney General Clark in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the governor of Pennsylvania.

A copy of the lawsuit is available: https://ago.vermont.gov/sites/ago/files/2025-07/01.%20COMPLAINT.pdf

Today’s lawsuit is the twenty-sixth case overall that Attorney General Clark has brought against the Trump Administration since President Trump took office in January. For more information on actions taken by the Attorney General on behalf of Vermonters, visit our website at ago.vermont.gov/ago-actions.