WASHINGTON, D.C. (WOLO) — A legal case stemming from South Carolina’s decision to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2018, Governor Henry McMaster signed an executive order that yanked Medicaid funding for South Carolina’s two Planned Parenthood clinics — one in Columbia, the other in Charleston — arguing those payments amounted to a taxpayer subsidy for abortion. Governor McMaster spoke in D.C. after the Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday, saying,  “The right to life is the most precious of all. It is the object of every law passed in our country and our principles of why we are a country.” The 2018 order also blocked Planned Parenthood patients from receiving other services — such as birth control, well-person exams, and cancer screenings. Leading a patient with Type-1 Diabetes named Julie Edwards and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic to sue the state of South Carolina — arguing that federal law gives Medicaid patients a right to access care at any qualified doctor’s office. “Let me make it plain, the attacks on our healthcare, our base of freedoms and bodily autonomy, no matter who you are where you live or who you love you should be able to get the healthcare you need when you need it in your home community,” says advocate of Planned Parenthood, Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. According to Planned Parenthood, around 34% of its overall revenue (or nearly $700 million) comes from government grants, contracts, and Medicaid funds. ABC News reports that South Carolina’s two Planned Parenthood clinics have served mostly low-income women — providing care for the past 40 years. Hundreds of their patients are reported to be Medicaid recipients. However, SC argues that Congress never intended to give individuals the right to sue over access to a particular provider, and they could simply choose another clinic. “I believe the decision of this court will be that the people of SC have the right to make this decision for themselves and for our state. Other states may make a different decision but not ours. SC stands for the right to life and we’ll do whatever is necessary to protect it,” says Governor McMaster. South Carolina also stating that Planned Parenthood could restore Medicaid funding if it stops performing abortions. Advocates say the fight for reproductive and healthcare rights will continue. “Now is the time for us to fight because when we fight, we win, every time. Keep up the faith, keep up the fight. We will win. Thank you,” says a Planned Parenthood advocate. A ruling from the U.S Supreme Court is expected by the end of the court’s term in June. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Governor Henry McMaster, Planned Parenthood ...read more read less