By upholding South Carolina’s directive to cut Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program, the Supreme Court affirmed what pro-life taxpayers have long demanded: to prevent their tax dollars from supporting an organization that performs abortions. 

In light of the court’s ruling, a question emerges: If taxpayer dollars are no longer allocated to organizations that perform abortions, shouldn’t those resources be redirected to initiatives that actively protect and preserve life? 

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This moment demands deeper examination, not just about fairness, but about faithfulness. Can the pro-life movement pursue government support without compromising its mission or message? 

Frankly, I think the answer is a resounding “no.”  

While this Supreme Court decision is worth celebrating, even in victory, we must be careful not to compromise our own convictions. To maintain integrity, the pro-life movement should aim to seek freedom from the shackles that come with accepting public funding. Government money is not needed, and frankly, it shouldn’t be wanted because it is merely building on unstable foundations of political and cultural meandering.

When an organization begins to rely on government funding, it jeopardizes its mission. The mission of an organization should be rooted in long-term purpose and sustainability, not tied to the short-term instability of an election cycle. It takes one change in administration or the balance of power in one chamber of Congress for government support to disappear entirely. 

Even more importantly, this issue goes well beyond simple economics. We must be careful not to let the pursuit of public funding control ideology.  Because if the lack of public funding can hamper the pro-abortion work of Planned Parenthood, it can just as easily compromise the pro-life work it supports. 

The pro-life movement exists to serve the vulnerable, not politicize them. Pregnancy resource centers offer support, resources, and a different path forward, and they do it with grace. These centers embody the heart of the pro-life movement — not by seeking to replace Planned Parenthood, but by raising a higher standard of care and compassion rooted in the conviction that all lives are created in the image of God. 

This is why it is crucial for the pro-life movement, and all organizations involved, to build their success on conviction and mission, not government apportionment. The roadside is littered with nonprofit organizations that began well, only to lose their way in chasing resources to “increase the work.” Dependence on public funding can dilute purpose, while private support fosters long-term trust, freedom, and resilience.  

While all this may seem simply aspirational, it isn’t. It’s real, it’s replicable, and it’s working. I have the pleasure of serving as president of Lifeline Children’s Services, the largest Christian adoption ministry in America, providing pro-life pregnancy counseling to thousands of women each year. Our ministry does not receive any public funding, and we’re thriving. We rely solely on private donations, church partnerships, and foundation support to maintain our mission. 

This approach allows us to remain consistent with our gospel-centered values and avoid government restrictions that might conflict with our mission: to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. 

The pro-life movement is more than a political arena where two polarized sides compete for power. At its core, the pro-life movement is about fighting for the protection of all lives, born and unborn, and standing firm against the constant challenges that come with that fight. True victory isn’t found in power or profit. It’s found in principle rooted in the timeless Good News of Jesus. That’s why the pro-life movement must be one that serves boldly, gives generously, and remains untangled from political agendas. 

SUPREME COURT DECISION MARKS LATEST WIN FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ADVOCATES

It’s time for pregnancy resource centers to lead by example. While we may celebrate this ruling, we must not lose sight of the mission that brought us here in the first place. Now is the moment to stand firm in our convictions and choose principle over provision to decline government dollars and stay rooted in gospel purpose. 

Let’s keep the pro-life movement rooted in protecting life, not chasing funding, driven by compassion, not control. When we remain independent and faithful to our mission, we lead with integrity and show the world a clearer picture of what it truly means to be pro-life.

Herbie Newell is president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services and author of the book Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-birth to Pro-life.