President Trump attempted to withhold federal funding for Planned Parenthood clinics in California. (photo by Sam Mulick)

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on July 29 over an attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. The lawsuit, filed with 22 other states, alleges that Trump exceeded his authority by attempting to withhold Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood clinics across the state in the “Big Beautiful Bill” budget act.

“This provision, which targets Planned Parenthood, is a direct attack on the health care access of millions of low-income Americans, disproportionally affecting women, LGBTQ+ individuals and communities of color,” Bonta wrote in a statement. “This provision specifically blocks Medicaid reimbursements for essential healthcare services, such as cancer screenings, birth control and STI testing at Planned Parenthood health centers.”

Planned Parenthood clinics in California serve about 700,000 patients each year, with nearly 80% of patients using Medi-Cal, according to Bonta. In a separate lawsuit, a federal judge ruled on July 28 that Planned Parenthood clinics must continue to be reimbursed for Medicaid funding. If Trump’s budget provision was enacted, California Planned Parenthood clinics would have lost $300 million in federal funding. Despite the ruling, five California clinics will remain closed, according to a statement from Andrew Adams, chief of staff for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, reported by Calmatters. Bonta is suing to further prevent implementation of the law and protect California’s Medicaid program.

In addition to the ruling, U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) introduced a bill that would repeal the federal ban on Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood.

“This bill will reverse a cruel, politically motivated ban on Medicaid payments that’s jeopardizing access to not just reproductive health care, but cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing and more,” Friedman said. “We’re fighting to ensure people can continue getting the essential care they count on, no matter who they are or where they live.”

West Hollywood City Councilman John Erickson, a former vice president of public affairs, communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said the federal defunding was a targeted attack.

“The Trump administration’s effort to target Planned Parenthood for providing abortions was not only politically motivated, but dangerous to public health and fundamentally unjust,” Erickson said. “This wasn’t just about abortion – it was about stripping away access to a broad range of essential health services, including cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control and preventive care. These attacks disproportionately harmed communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with low incomes – many of whom rely on Planned Parenthood as their primary source of care.”

Erickson added that the loss of federal funding would be devastating for people in L.A. County who depend on Planned Parenthood for necessary medical care.

“Without that support, clinics may be forced to cut services, shorten hours or close altogether – putting everything from cancer screenings to contraception to abortion care at risk. Here in West Hollywood, where many residents – including LGBTQ+ individuals – rely on inclusive, nonjudgmental providers, the absence of Planned Parenthood would create a major gap in the health care landscape,” he said.

As of press time on July 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had not appealed the ruling.