Fourth Circuit Again Affirms South Carolinians Using Medicaid Can Choose Planned Parenthood as their Health Care Provider

COLUMBIA, SC. — Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit yet again ruled for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic’s (PPSAT) patients, affirming that South Carolinians who use Medicaid for their insurance have the right to visit any qualified provider who accepts Medicaid — and that PPSAT is one of those providers.

This ruling in Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. Robert M. Kerr comes after several previous decisions by the Fourth Circuit and a lower court that invalidated Gov. Henry McMaster’s executive order blocking Medicaid patients from accessing preventive health care services at Planned Parenthood in South Carolina. Federal law gives Medicaid patients the right to get care from the family planning provider of their choice.  

South Carolina already has a shortage of health care providers, which is particularly acute for people using Medicaid as their insurance. Planned Parenthood health centers have operated in South Carolina for more than 40 years, providing Medicaid patients essential preventive health care including cancer screenings, annual visits, birth control, and STI testing and treatment.

Statement from Jenny Black, CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic:

“The patients who come to Planned Parenthood health centers for care aren’t doing so to make a political statement. They come to us because we are the provider they know and trust for compassionate, quality, affordable care. Every year, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic serves thousands of South Carolinians, providing lifesaving health care that includes breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, and STI testing and treatment.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is committed to standing up for our patients, and we are grateful that the court once again ruled to protect South Carolinians who are most in need of access to affordable health care. Today we celebrate on behalf of all of those patients who can continue to come to us, their trusted health care provider, for family planning and other preventive care." 

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Today’s ruling makes clear what we’ve long said: State politicians cannot block people with low incomes from choosing the Medicaid provider they know and trust — and that includes Planned Parenthood affiliates. In South Carolina and across the country, Planned Parenthood will continue fighting for patients to get the essential care they need and deserve to live healthier lives.”

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nation’s leading nonprofit sexual health provider, educator, and advocate. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) provides high quality, nonjudgmental care and education, including annual exams, lifesaving cancer screenings—like Pap tests and clinical breast exams—STI testing and treatment, and abortion care in health centers located throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is committed to providing care, no matter what.