The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today took a major step to legally block the Trump Administration from cutting off Medicaid funding for hundreds of thousands of San Diegans trying to get critical health care services like cancer screenings provided by Planned Parenthood and other local clinics.

The Board approved Chair Terra Lawson-Remer’s proposal authorizing County Counsel to support the multiple lawsuits filed by Planned Parenthood and California Attorney General Rob Bonta against the Trump Administration’s “Defund Provision” - in  Trump’s budget law (H.R. 1). That provision blocks Medicaid – also known as Medi-Cal in California – from reimbursing  nonprofit health centers that also provide abortion services, even though federal dollars do not pay for abortion and have not for nearly 50 years.

“More than 32,000 low-income San Diegans are among the nearly 900,000 local recipients who are prevented from using their Medicaid coverage at Planned Parenthood for basic preventative services like breast exams, cancer screenings and birth control. For thousands of people, this is the only way they receive healthcare,” said San Diego County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia in challenging the law in court. The court scheduled a hearing for November 24, 2025 on AG Bonta’s request for a preliminary injunction to stop the federal government from enforcing the law. 

In the case brought by Planned Parenthood, a federal judge previously issued a preliminary injunction, but that injunction was stayed on appeal.

The cases brought by Planned Parenthood and AG Bonta continue — leaving Planned Parenthood clinics and patients in limbo. 

“The Trump Administration, and Republicans in Congress, are engaged in an all-out assault on Planned Parenthood. It’s not right, and even more importantly, it’s not legal. That’s why my office took the Administration to court, and why I’m grateful to now have the backing of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Throughout the country, Planned Parenthood provides essential medical services such as cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and wellness exams. Defunding Planned Parenthood, as President Trump and those who work for him are trying to do, means that millions of individuals will lose access to those essential medical services – already, Planned Parenthood locations have closed altogether and others are limiting services. We must continue to fight back.”  

Before the Board meeting, Supervisor Lawson-Remer and Planned Parenthood held a rally and news conference on the West Steps of the San Diego County Government Building.

Victoria Lara, a Planned Parenthood Patient in San Diego, said she would have no health care without Medicaid and Planned Parenthood.

“Defunding Planned Parenthood would only make access worse for so many communities–including immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with low incomes,” said Victoria Lara. 

Miriam Guerra said she has been a Medicaid recipient as a child and teen for healthcare and reproductive health care.

“Last year I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It was because of the Medicaid program that I was able to get the diagnosis and treatment that helped me manage my health. Simply put, I wouldn’t be where I am today—a college graduate and aspiring physician—without Medicaid,” said Miriam Guerra.

Janeen Burlison, Chief Clinical Operations Officer of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest in San Diego said all people deserve access to care and resources regardless of their insurance status or income.

"One in five people living in the United States rely on Medicaid, including the over 32,000 Medi-Cal recipients who count on Planned Parenthood health centers in San Diego a year. As a medical professional, I strongly and unequivocally believe that patients who need to access sexual and reproductive health care should be able to do so without facing barriers to the critical care they deserve," said Janeen Burlison.

Supervisor Lawson-Remer said it is the County’s duty to protect the health and safety of its residents.