The order directs the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to review those providers receiving Medicaid funds and determine if those providers have been excluded, disenrolled, or sanctioned by a Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program of any state.
Those determined to be in violation will be sanctioned or disenrolled and Planned Parenthood qualifies to be defunded under those terms.
“Nebraskans have made clear they support a culture of love and life in our state – one that provides protections for the unborn,” said Governor Pillen. “Throughout my administration, I have advocated for laws that support those values. I’m proud that we can take this bold step in halting funding to abortion providers that receive Medicaid funding.”
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So how much will the abortion business lose?
Medicaid payments to abortion businesses for non-abortion services in Nebraska totaled $172,164.11 in FY 2024 and $341,972.18 in FY 2025.
That means the Planned Parenthood abortion giant stands to lose almost $342,000.
That’s great news for the pro-life advocates at Nebraska Right to Life.
“Joined by Attorney General Mike Hilgers and DHHS Secretary Steve Corsi, the Governor explained that while state and federal laws prohibit tax dollars from directly funding abortion procedures, thousands of taxpayer funds continue to be given to Planned Parenthood by way of the Medicaid program,” Sandy Danek, the group’s director, told LifeNews.com.
She added:
Governor Pillen’s executive order is allowable due to a June 2025 U.S. Supreme Court decision Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The ruling stated that Medicaid beneficiaries cannot sue in federal court to enforce the “free choice of provider” provision of the Medicaid Act.
This historic decision allows the Nebraska Governor to finally end Medicaid funding for abortion providers in the state.
Nebraska Right to Life and its supporters wish to thank Governor Pillen for his courageous stand to protect all precious life and for reminding us that resources are available from many other healthcare providers in the state that offer good quality medical care, often on a sliding fee scale, but without being embroiled in the destructive abortion industry.
“I want to stress Nebraska has ample resources for women who need health care services. There are 12 clinics across Omaha and four in the city of Lincoln,” said Gov. Pillen.
While federal and Nebraska laws have prohibited taxpayer funds from being used specifically to kill babies in abortions, abortion companies have, prior to this executive order, been able to receive taxpayer funds for other services and prop up their abortion business. Typically, those services make up a small percentage of what providers offer, whereas the primary service consists of performing abortions.
“This has been an issue that’s been in the background for a long time for a lot of people. In fact, the desire of Nebraska taxpayers to not have their funds be used for abortions has been in state statutes for some time,” noted Attorney General Mike Hilgers.
He explained that two things happened recently, clearing the way for Gov. Pillen’s executive order. The first was passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, prohibiting the use of federal tax dollars to pay certain entities that provide abortions.
The second was a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of South Carolina’s actions in terminating abortion providers and their affiliates from that state’s Medicaid program. South Carolina’s actions triggered Nebraska regulations that allow DHHS to terminate the enrollment of providers and their affiliates that have been terminated or excluded from another state’s program.
“Nebraskans care about the lives of the unborn. And through laws passed by their state and federal representatives, Nebraskans have made clear that they want their hard-earned taxpayer dollars going to good healthcare, not subsidizing abortions,” added AG Hilgers. “I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the Governor to ensure taxpayer dollars go to those who help Nebraskans and not those who do harm.”
