MORNING HEADLINES | Medicaid patients don’t have the right to sue to see their doctor of choice, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in a 6-3 ruling Thursday. The decision allows South Carolina to exclude clinics that also provide abortions from its government health care program.
“Though it is rare enough for any statute to confer an enforceable right, spending-power statutes like Medicaid are especially unlikely to do so,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority in his 24-page opinion. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a separate concurring opinion.
The South Carolina case that led to the ruling began with Gov. Henry McMaster’s July 2018 executive order directing the state’s Medicaid agency to remove abortion clinics from its list of providers that patients can choose for coverage of non-abortion health care services. McMaster’s directive was quickly blocked by federal courts, and the case was decided and appealed several times before arriving at the nation’s highest court.
“Seven years ago, we took a stand to protect the sanctity of life and defend South Carolina’s authority and values — and today, we are finally victorious,” the governor said in a statement Thursday.
Despite the declaration of victory, nothing will change immediately. Before South Carolina can officially remove Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program, it needs another court order. That’s because the justices’ decision on the patient’s right to sue sent the case back to a lower court. Until that case is resolved, Planned Parenthood can continue providing services to Medicaid patients.
While Republican lawmakers celebrated the ruling, Democratic advocates and leaders pushed back.
“Today’s ruling is a cruel and calculated attack on health care access in South Carolina,” S.C. Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain said in a press release. “By allowing the State of South Carolina to remove Planned Parenthood as a qualified provider of Medicaid healthcare services, the Supreme Court has decided that partisan politics overrides the health and dignity of thousands of South Carolinians, especially low-income women, young people, and communities of color.
“Let’s call this what it is: an effort to control people’s bodies, silence their choices, and limit their options. South Carolinians deserve better.”
The decision will disproportionately affect low-income women who relied on Planned Parenthood’s services, Sens. Margie Bright Matthews and Tameika Isaac Devine said in an S.C. Daily Gazette report.
In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper:
CP OPINION: War without consent — or the Constitution. “In deciding to take the country to a war footing without congressional authorization, President Donald Trump denied the American people their right to debate and decide that question through their elected representatives.”
CP NEWS: Charleston, state scramble to deal with growing AI. Terrifying threats. Unprecedented opportunities. Change at the speed of a microprocessor. Across the country — and here in Charleston — that’s how experts are talking about the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence, or AI.
CP NEWS: Park Circle arboretum highlights, protects natural landscape. The homes throughout the Mixson Assembly neighborhood in Park Circle aren’t bordered with streets and sidewalks like most in Charleston. Instead, they open onto several beautifully landscaped public parks filled with an array of trees, flowers and plants.
CP NEWS: Why June 28’s Carolina Day is a big deal. Cities across the Palmetto State will come alive this weekend with celebrations and commemorations for Carolina Day. You can join parades, festivals, lectures and reenactments to honor the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the first major naval victory of the American Revolution.
CP NEWS: Charleston group launches economic boycotts on Fridays. A nationwide “fast” from spending money every Friday is entering its second week after a coalition of Charleston-area activists recently launched the boycott to counter White supremacy.
CP MUSIC: New album, old times for rocker Edwin McCain. Well-known and talented South Carolina musician Edwin McCain will celebrate his first new album in nearly 15 years July 3 at The Windjammer.
CP FOOD: 9 ways to celebrate July Fourth in Charleston. From kid-friendly events to catering options for your at-home party, local restaurants, hotels and attractions offer delicious and festive ways to honor Independence Day.
In other headlines:
Charleston Black burial site mapping project receives state preservation award. The Preservation Society of Charleston won a state award for their project mapping Black burial sites around the city in an effort to raise public awareness and protect gravesites as the area grows.
‘Aspiring influencer’ faces 35 charges in Charleston reckless driving case. The Charleston Police Department says a monthslong reckless driving investigation has led to nearly three dozen charges against one man.
On-site shrimp processing returns to Shem Creek as $3M renovation project wraps up. A multimillion-dollar renovation to commercial docks on Shem Creek, touted as an investment in the town’s shrimping industry, is nearly complete.
Defense contracting company expanding, adding jobs in Charleston County. Charleston County leaders announced expansion plans Thursday for a defense contracting company that’s expected to bring 30 new jobs.
IAAM hits second milestone, making a $200M economic impact in Charleston. Decades in the making, Charleston’s newest cultural institution is embracing its growth and identity as it marks its second anniversary.
Dorchester County tests storm response with full-scale emergency drill. Dorchester County emergency officials spent Thursday morning putting their storm plans to the test during a full-scale mock disaster drill simulating widespread power outages, road blockages, and extreme heat.
Ronald McDonald House Charities breaks ground on new Charleston facility. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston broke ground on a new project Thursday with a special mission to help children.
Thousands of acres of federal woodland at risk in S.C. The Trump administration soon could open up thousands of acres of South Carolina’s “roadless” federal forestland to new road construction.
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
