Trump administration restores funding to Planned Parenthood, other groups after lawsuit

The Trump administration has agreed to unfreeze millions in federal funding to Planned Parenthood and other family planning groups, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) paused $27.5 million in funding for 16 organizations last year pending an investigation, citing potential violations of federal civil rights laws. In response, the ACLU sued the administration over the cuts.

The union filed to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit on Jan. 13, citing the restoration of funds.

“We are relieved all of our members now have access to their promised funds, but we know the fight for contraceptive access in this country goes on. We will continue to stand up for our members and the essential care they provide to millions of individuals,” Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, said in a statement.

The Trump administration ultimately paused 22 federal Title X grants, jeopardizing care for 842,000 patients across the country, according to the ACLU.

Some service centers were shuttered in the wake of revoked grants while Planned Parenthood said 200 of its sites risked closure because of Medicaid funding cuts.

“When the Trump administration withheld critical Title X family planning funding, it blatantly violated federal law and left hundreds of sites unable to provide Title X-funded services,” said Brigitte Amiri, deputy director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the ACLU.

While abortion advocates applauded the Trump administration’s decision to restore funds, President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said they were unaware of the decision.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Trump told reporters Wednesday, followed by Kennedy who said, “I have not heard that.”

The decision to restore funds could increase friction between the administration and anti-abortion advocates who will gather in Washington, D.C., for the annual March For Life protest next week.