Anti-Abortion Groups Push to Defund Planned Parenthood in Major Lobbying Effort

Major anti-abortion groups are converging in Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress and the Trump administration to eliminate Planned Parenthood funding. Despite accusations of using Medicaid for abortions, Planned Parenthood emphasizes its role in broader reproductive health care. The upcoming Supreme Court case could impact funding strategies in conservative states.

Washington, D.C. is witnessing a significant mobilization of anti-abortion groups as they begin a major lobbying effort directed at Congress and President Donald Trump's administration. Their primary aim is to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, especially before the U.S. Supreme Court hears a related case in April concerning South Carolina's initiative to defund the organization.

Despite accusations focused on abortion services, less than 5% of Planned Parenthood's services are related to abortions, according to their 2023 report. Planned Parenthood advocates highlight the valuable role it plays in providing reproductive health care, especially to low-income individuals, amid claims of broader funding misuse.

The Supreme Court's upcoming decision is deemed a pivotal event that could spur similar moves by conservative states, aiming to enforce the exclusion of disfavored health care services. The legal battle, thus, reflects broader nationwide implications on financial strategies and reproductive health access.

(With inputs from agencies.)