Podcast Summary: "Can Planned Parenthood Survive Trump’s Big Beautiful Law?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: What A Day
• Host: Jane Coaston, Crooked Media
• Episode Title: Can Planned Parenthood Survive Trump’s Big Beautiful Law?
• Release Date: July 15, 2025

Introduction: The State of Reproductive Rights Post-Roe v. Wade

In this compelling episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the tumultuous landscape of reproductive rights in the United States following the Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade three years prior. The episode, released on July 15, 2025, scrutinizes the ramifications of the recently enacted tax and spending law signed by former President Donald Trump, which poses a significant threat to reproductive healthcare services nationwide.

Trump’s Tax and Spending Law: A Federal Overreach

Jane Coaston opens the discussion by outlining the central issue: the Trump administration's new law includes a provision that prevents healthcare nonprofits, specifically those primarily engaged in family planning services like Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for a year. This move has sparked outrage among reproductive rights advocates and raised questions about the federal government's role in restricting access to essential healthcare services.

Expert Insight: Mary Ziegler on the Law’s Impact

To unpack the complexities of this legislation, Jane speaks with Mary Ziegler, a professor at UC Davis School of Law and an expert in reproductive healthcare law. Ziegler explains, "[00:03:16] Essentially, what it means is that for a year, groups like Planned Parenthood that are abortion providers but provide other services are being kicked out of Medicaid." She highlights that approximately one-third of Planned Parenthood's funding comes from Medicaid, raising concerns about the sustainability of their services. "Are they going to have to close down? Are they going to be able to fundraise to cover part of that deficit? We don't really know yet, but the effects are going to be significant" ([00:03:16] Mary Ziegler).

Targeting Planned Parenthood and Beyond

While the law does not explicitly name Planned Parenthood, Ziegler points out that "[00:04:18] Planned Parenthood is both the best known and often the most visible—and probably the easiest to find—abortion provider in the United States. But there are a lot of other independent clinics... that offer primarily reproductive healthcare but also provide abortions." This broad impact threatens not only Planned Parenthood but also numerous other clinics across the country, potentially limiting access to a range of reproductive health services beyond abortion.

Temporary Provision: A Strategic Compromise

The provision's temporary nature, lasting only one year, is a strategic compromise influenced by internal GOP dynamics. As Ziegler explains, "[00:04:51] Some Republicans in competitive races were saying, we’ve made the abortion issue temporarily go away. The compromise was, if things last only for a year, that gives a win for the anti-abortion side without jeopardizing the careers of endangered Republicans" ([00:04:51] Mary Ziegler). This timeframe aligns with upcoming midterm elections, balancing political maneuvering with policy enforcement.

Judicial Response and Future Implications

The episode highlights recent judicial actions, noting that a federal judge temporarily blocked this provision, siding with Planned Parenthood. Ziegler anticipates that this legal battle will continue to shape the availability of reproductive services. "[00:06:38] In states like New York, California, and Illinois, which have large Medicaid populations, the effects will be most acute. People might not be seeking abortions, but they will face limited access to other vital reproductive healthcare" ([00:06:38] Mary Ziegler).

Supreme Court Rulings and State-Level Actions

Ziegler connects the federal provisions to recent Supreme Court decisions, notably a case from South Carolina that allows the state to block Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood for all services. She suggests that even if the federal law is overturned, states may adopt similar measures, further complicating access to reproductive healthcare. "[00:10:10] This opens the door to states doing the same thing, targeting providers like Planned Parenthood and affecting a broad spectrum of services, not just abortions" ([00:10:10] Mary Ziegler).

The Dilemma for Healthcare Providers

The conversation underscores the difficult choices clinics face under these restrictions. Ziegler warns, "[00:11:48] Clinics will have to choose between providing abortions and preserving their federal funding to continue offering other life-saving care like cancer screenings and STI testing" ([00:11:48] Mary Ziegler). This scenario threatens to undermine the comprehensive healthcare services that organizations like Planned Parenthood provide.

Conclusion: The Battle Continues

As the episode wraps up, Ziegler emphasizes the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights and the pervasive influence of political agendas on healthcare accessibility. "[00:12:23] You're going to see a whole lot of difficult changes facing providers like Planned Parenthood as a result of this stuff" ([00:12:23] Mary Ziegler). Jane Coaston leaves listeners with a sobering reflection on the future of reproductive healthcare in America, urging awareness and engagement in these critical issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Mary Ziegler ([00:03:16]): "Groups like Planned Parenthood that are abortion providers but provide other services are being kicked out of Medicaid."
• Mary Ziegler ([00:04:18]): "Planned Parenthood is both the best known and often the most visible—and probably the easiest to find—abortion provider in the United States."
• Mary Ziegler ([00:04:51]): "The compromise was, if things last only for a year, that gives a win for the anti-abortion side without jeopardizing the careers of endangered Republicans."
• Mary Ziegler ([00:06:38]): "In states like New York, California, and Illinois, which have large Medicaid populations, the effects will be most acute."
• Mary Ziegler ([00:10:10]): "This opens the door to states doing the same thing, targeting providers like Planned Parenthood and affecting a broad spectrum of services, not just abortions."
• Mary Ziegler ([00:11:48]): "Clinics will have to choose between providing abortions and preserving their federal funding to continue offering other life-saving care like cancer screenings and STI testing."
• Mary Ziegler ([00:12:23]): "You're going to see a whole lot of difficult changes facing providers like Planned Parenthood as a result of this stuff."

Conclusion

This episode of What A Day provides a thorough examination of the federal legislation aimed at restricting reproductive healthcare services, particularly targeting Planned Parenthood. Through insightful analysis and expert commentary, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal, political, and social implications of Trump's tax and spending law on reproductive rights in the United States.