After signing one of the most protective abortion bans in the country, Gov. Kevin Stitt has now moved to cut off any money to providers who assist women in obtaining surgical abortions in other states or abortion pills via online sources or telehealth appointments.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, R, has signed a sweeping executive order that permanently cuts off taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion-affiliated organizations within the state’s Medicaid system.
The order, signed July 31, directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to terminate and refuse to renew all SoonerCare contracts with any entities that perform abortions, refer for abortions, or are otherwise affiliated with abortion services. SoonerCare is Oklahoma’s state Medicaid program, and the new directive ensures that its funding aligns exclusively with pro-life priorities.
“Oklahoma is a pro-life state, and our policies should reflect that at every level of our government,” Stitt said in a press release. “We won’t allow tax dollars to indirectly subsidize and flow into the abortion industry under the guise of women’s health. My order makes sure every public dollar aligns with our values and supports providers who respect life at every stage.”
The move follows a significant U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, handed down in June, which reaffirmed the right of states to remove Medicaid funding from abortion providers. That 6-3 decision overturned a lower court ruling and gave states the legal authority to take decisive action against the abortion industry’s involvement in taxpayer-supported healthcare programs.
Even though Oklahoma has one of the strongest pro-life laws in the nation, banning nearly all abortions and protecting unborn children from the moment of fertilization, Planned Parenthood clinics remain active in the state. These facilities no longer perform abortions in Oklahoma but do continue to assist women in obtaining abortions in other states or through abortion pills distributed online or via telehealth appointments.
This ongoing activity by abortion providers, despite the legal ban, prompted the governor to act. In addition to cutting off current funding, the executive order calls for a complete policy overhaul at OHCA to ensure compliance.
Under the order, OHCA must review and revise its credentialing standards for all SoonerCare providers. Providers must now attest that neither they nor anyone they are affiliated with are involved in abortion-related activities.
The order also lays out a clear enforcement timetable. OHCA must begin rulemaking within 60 days, fully implement revised credentialing standards within 120 days, and submit a final report to the governor’s office within 150 days. The report must detail the enforcement process, compliance levels, and how many providers were impacted by the changes.
Abegail Cave, a spokesperson for Gov. Stitt, clarified that the order will not impact providers who perform extremely rare, life-saving procedures in cases where a mother’s life is at serious risk.
Stitt’s action follows years of debate at both the state and national levels over whether organizations like Planned Parenthood should receive government funding. While federal law prohibits direct funding for abortion procedures through Medicaid, critics have long argued that taxpayer money still indirectly supports abortion by funding facilities that promote or facilitate it.
The OHCA now faces the task of enforcing the new standards and vetting the network of providers participating in SoonerCare. According to the executive order, any entity found to be in violation will lose its access to state Medicaid funds.
The order also reinforces a broader pro-life ethic that Gov. Stitt has consistently promoted during his time in office. In 2022, Stitt signed one of the most protective abortion bans in the country, outlawing nearly all abortions and affirming the state’s commitment to the sanctity of life.
In his 2024 State of the State address, the governor reiterated his position, stating, “We want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the nation, and we won’t back down from that goal.”
With this latest action, Oklahoma continues to lead the nation in concrete pro-life policymaking, not just through legislative bans, but by severing all financial ties to abortion providers and reinforcing the cultural message that every life is worth protecting.
As the abortion industry is increasingly pivoting to telehealth and out-of-state services, pro-life advocates say cutting off funding streams is more critical than ever. As enforcement of the new order moves forward, pro-life advocates across the country are watching closely. Oklahoma is helping to set the pace in a post-Roe America, proving that states can and should use every legal tool available to protect unborn children and stop public funds from reaching the abortion industry.
Stitt’s action reminds us that laws matter, and so does leadership. But laws alone cannot change hearts. The Church must be the voice that declares life is sacred, not because a court says so, but because God does (Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16). We must not only support pro-life policies but also build a culture that treasures children, supports mothers in crisis, and restores families broken by abortion.
This is a call to every believer to speak up when others are silent. Now is the time for Christians to rise in bold, unwavering love. May we be the hands and feet of Christ to both the unborn and their mothers, standing for justice and offering hope.
Life isn’t just a political issue, it’s a Gospel issue. And it’s worth defending at every level.
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