Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has joined a coalition of more than 20 states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging new requirements for federal family planning grants. The lawsuit, filed Thursday, targets conditions that Shapiro contends make it more difficult for low-income Pennsylvanians to access critical reproductive healthcare, including cancer screenings and sexually transmitted infection testing.
The complaint specifically challenges provisions within the Title X grant requirements that aim to ensure taxpayer resources do not support elective abortions and instead promote "life-affirming" services. Shapiro's administration has stated that the administration's new terms could lead providers to lose Title X funding even if abortions are performed outside of the federally funded program.
Pennsylvania received over $12.7 million in Title X funding in fiscal year 2026, according to the lawsuit. The Trump administration's updated funding terms emphasize that the Department of Health and Human Services will prioritize programs that adhere to federal abortion-funding protections and do not use taxpayer money to promote or support elective abortions. Recipients are also expected to maintain "strict separation" from activities that are federally prohibited.
Opponents of the lawsuit, such as Live Action, have criticized Shapiro's characterization of the services as "lifesaving care," arguing that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize organizations like Planned Parenthood. Noah Brandt, vice president of communications and government affairs at Live Action, stated that while women deserve access to services like cancer screenings and prenatal care, this should not come at the expense of subsidizing abortion providers.
Shapiro's administration has previously supported Medicaid coverage for abortions, increased reimbursement rates for abortion services, and joined legal efforts to expand access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The lawsuit marks Shapiro's second legal challenge against the Trump administration in recent days, following his participation in a coalition that questioned new federal requirements for mail-in ballots.