On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, a case that could determine whether Medicaid beneficiaries have a right to challenge a state’s removal of providers. The Justices closely examined whether the “free choice of provider” clause in the Medicaid Act creates an enforceable right under Section 1983. South Carolina contends it does not, while Planned Parenthood and a Medicaid recipient argue otherwise. A ruling is expected by June 2025.
Category: Legal Issues
Supreme Court Set to Clarify: Is Quiet Service Less Religious Than Worship?
Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin: Defining the Limits of Religious Charity By Michael D. Peabody, Esq. Issue: Whether a state violates the First Amendment’s religion clauses by denying a religious organization an otherwise-available tax exemption because the organization does not meet the state’s criteria for religious behavior.In northern Wisconsin, a small Catholic charity quietly goes…
Who Controls the Federal Bureaucracy? The Fight Over Presidential Power
A barrage of executive orders has set the tone for an administration determined to wield its authority to the fullest extent. Some directives have rolled back Biden-era policies, others have reasserted presidential control over federal agencies, and a few have tested the limits of Article II. The administration’s actions—drawing from a well-established history of executive expansion—are now the defining feature of this political era.
When the State Critiques the Sermon: The Dangerous Signal of House Resolution 59
By condemning a sermon, House Resolution 59 risks crossing a line that should never be blurred: the ability of clergy to address issues of conscience without interference or condemnation from the state.
Public Funding for Faith-Based Schools? Supreme Court Takes on Oklahoma Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Charter School Board, a case addressing whether a religious charter school can receive public funding. The case centers around a proposed online Catholic charter school in Oklahoma that was denied authorization by the state’s Charter School Board. The board…
Faith, Power, and the Politics of Prayer in the Inauguration
For every comforting prayer of unity, there was a reminder of the risk involved in dissent—of what happens when clergy challenge the status quo instead of blessing it.
Former Stockton Fire Chief Petitions U.S. Supreme Court Over Alleged Religious Discrimination
Did former Stockton Fire Chief Ronald Hittle face religious discrimination for attending a leadership conference hosted by a Christian organization? First Liberty argues that, although Hittle attended for secular training, Stockton unfairly penalized him due to the event’s religious affiliation, framing this as a case of religious bias in the workplace.
Why Free Speech is Key to Religious Liberty
In the United States, protecting both free speech and religious liberty is essential for a healthy, diverse society. Censorship, especially when it limits religious expression, threatens the very core of these freedoms.
Justices Decline Abortion Law Case, Spotlighting Federal-State Conflict
The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case that questions whether EMTALA, which requires hospitals to provide emergency care, including abortions to protect a woman’s health, preempts Idaho’s law allowing abortions only to prevent death.
PODCAST: Supreme Court Rulings Explained: Religious Freedom, Free Speech & More
Navigating the world of legal rulings, especially on issues like religious freedom, free speech, and discrimination, can feel overwhelming. Recent Supreme Court decisions have raised questions about the balance of power, the role of government agencies, and how religious beliefs interact with modern laws. That’s why we’re breaking it down for you, making these complex…