Pillen signs order cutting off state tax dollars to Nebraska abortion providers

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order Thursday cutting off state tax dollars from medical service providers in Nebraska that offer abortions.

Local abortion clinics primarily receive state aid through Medicaid funds, which supports various services beyond abortions, including birth control and cancer screenings. This summer, Congress cut off federal funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers and restricted Medicaid funds going to abortion providers through the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Under the order, Pillen said any abortion provider terminated from another state’s Medicaid program will have their enrollment terminated in Nebraska.

“We’re not going to let abortion providers skirt accountability while claiming our money,” Pillen said.

In a statement from Planned Parenthood, officials said the order would not have much impact on either of the group’s two Nebraska clinics. Planned Parenthood North Central States has not billed Medicaid for any services provided in Nebraska since Sept. 11, when a federal appeals court lifted an injunction that was blocking the federal Medicaid restrictions.

“This executive order is nothing but a publicity stunt by state leaders meant to confuse Nebraskans about their health care options,” Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in the release. “Nebraskans need birth control. They need cancer screenings. They need wellness exams. And, yes, they need abortion care.”

Kenny Zoeller, director of the governor’s Policy Research Office, said Nebraska abortion providers currently receive about $250,000 per year in state tax dollars.

“From my seat, $1 is too much,” Pillen said.

Pillen announced the executive order at a press conference alongside Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO Steve Corsi.

Hilgers clarified that state and federal law already prohibit tax dollars from supporting abortion procedures, but the executive order expands that restriction to cut off funding for any services offered by an abortion provider.

Hilgers said state officials have considered taking this action for some time but were waiting on the results of the U.S. Supreme Court case Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The high court’s ruling prohibits Medicaid enrollees in any state that excludes Planned Parenthood from using their Medicaid coverage to obtain other services from Planned Parenthood, including contraception..

Hilgers said the ruling gave Nebraska “unassailable ground,” to enforce Pillen’s order.

“It is quite clear that Nebraska can take the action that it is taking today,” Hilgers said.

The executive order is titled, “Protecting the Life, Health, and Welfare of Pregnant Women, and Unborn Human Life.” The order specifically names Planned Parenthood, but Hilgers later clarified that the restriction would also apply to Bellevue’s abortion clinic, CARE Reproductive Health.

Though Planned Parenthood has two clinics in Nebraska — one in Omaha and the other in Lincoln — the Lincoln clinic’s website specifies that it does not offer abortions. Hilgers said the order will only apply to clinics that provide abortions. However, Pillen speculated that any Planned Parenthood clinic has the ability to provide abortions.

Both Hilgers and Pillen noted that Nebraska has a collection of other clinics that offer services to pregnant women but don’t offer abortions. They argued there are plenty of resources for pregnant women to access care in Nebraska. They were likely referencing pregnancy crisis centers, which have been both praised and criticized for steering people away from abortion clinics and other reproductive care.

In Planned Parenthood’s statement, officials criticized the emphasis on pregnancy crisis centers saying the centers claim to offer an array of medical options while withholding needed health information from clients.

The executive order was met with praise from anti-abortion lobbying groups, including Nebraska Family Alliance and the Nebraska Catholic Conference. In an email statement, Nebraska Family Alliance Executive Director Nate Grasz said “Nebraska is rightfully taking action to protect life and uphold our state’s pro-life values.”

“(Planned Parenthood) is not an organization that deserves public money or public patronage,” Marion Miner, assistant director of pro-life and family for the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said in a separate statement.