Rally for Patients’ Rights: A Day at the Supreme Court

On April 2nd, I joined Policy Intern Jeffrey Jordan and Policy and Advocacy Associate Tranée McDonald at the “Rally for Patient’s Rights” outside of the Supreme Court. That week,  SCOTUS was hearing arguments on whether Medicaid patients would retain their right to choose their healthcare provider, stemming from South Carolina’s attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. The case, which began in 2018 when South Carolina’s governor barred Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic from providing Medicaid-funded services, threatens not only Planned Parenthood’s operations but could also reshape how states control access to healthcare.

The rally was powerful, emotional, and deeply energizing. Activists like Mini Timmaraju, President of Reproductive Freedom for All, and Lupe Rodríguez, Executive Director of the Latina Institute, shared inspiring stories as the crowd cried and cheered. Texas Representative Lizzie Fletcher captured the spirit of the day when she said, “As I leave the podium this morning, I am inspired by you… I’m so inspired just knowing that we are all committed to this work, this fight.” She reminded us that this movement is not a moment but a sustained effort: “We’ll be here not just today, but in the days ahead.”

While I left the rally worried about patients who may lose critical healthcare, I also left feeling energized. Because the message I walked away with wasn’t just about Medicaid or reproductive justice — it was that the public is watching, and we won’t stand quietly while our access to care and our basic human dignity is under threat. I left feeling empowered, reminded that while SCOTUS may have the final word on the law, we are the voice of the people.

In a time when it is so easy to feel defeated, this rally picked me up. As a woman, I feel scared thinking about my reproductive rights. As a student, I wonder what kind of world I will be stepping into once I leave school and whether it will be a place compatible with my values. As an American, I feel uncertain about what this country will look like in four years.

But standing in that crowd, surrounded by people dedicated to making a difference, I felt a little more hopeful. If you’ve been feeling any of these fears, I encourage you to find a space where people show up for what matters. Join a rally. Volunteer. Remind yourself that you’re not alone. Consider joining Interfaith Alliance during our webinar, Faith, Reproductive Freedom, and the Future of Our Democracy, or joining an Interfaith Alliance affiliate. Taking action at a local level can be a powerful way to live out your values and stand up for the dignity and freedom of all people.

 Change doesn’t only happen in courtrooms; it happens in the community. And right now, that community needs all of us. 

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The views and beliefs expressed in this post and all Interfaith Alliance blogs are those held by the author of each respective piece. To learn more about the organizational views, policies and positions of Interfaith Alliance on any issues, please contact [email protected].