Mike Johnson seeks legislative ways to defund Planned Parenthood

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that defunding Planned Parenthood remains a legislative priority for Republicans. This follows the expiration of a one-year ban on the organization receiving Medicaid reimbursements, which had been established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

While the Hyde Amendment prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions except in specific cases involving rape, incest, or life-threatening complications, the lapse in the ban allows Planned Parenthood to once again receive Medicaid reimbursements for non-abortion services, such as contraception and sexually transmitted disease screenings.

Johnson confirmed he is seeking legislative vehicles to reinstate restrictions, though he did not provide a specific timeline. He emphasized that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortion services and noted that legal challenges regarding telehealth and the mail-order delivery of abortion medication are also ongoing.