In efforts to "defund" Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, conservatives often argue that money going to Planned Parenthood pays for abortions, even if the money is not directly for abortions, because money is fungible. Conservatives should avoid making this argument because the same argument could be used to negatively impact religious freedom.
On Feb. 24, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an Arizona law that banned Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood. The legal issue before the Court dealt with federalism. Medicaid is a federal government program that is run by the states. Medicaid costs are shared by the federal government and state governments. Federal law was unclear as to which level of government should decide which healthcare providers in a state are qualified for Medicaid reimbursements. The Court decided it was the federal government.
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