Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) approved a law Thursday that removes Planned Parenthood in the state from Medicaid funding.
The law is predicted to become active later this year, declares it illegal for any government money to be sent to any abortion facility or “any related organization of such abortion facility.”
Planned Parenthood states that Missouri now joins Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas as states that have prevented the organization from receiving Medicaid funds.
Republicans in Missouri have attempted for years to stop Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood, even after the organization ceased performing abortions in the state.
Abortion has been nearly completely prohibited in Missouri since the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, with limited exceptions under a so-called trigger law that took effect shortly after the Supreme Court decision.
Planned Parenthood clinics in the state have continued to operate, offering patients services like birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and wellness checks, reported the Missouri Independent.
Missouri Planned Parenthood locations are linked with clinics in Kansas and Illinois, neighboring states with less strict abortion laws. Republicans argue that no money should go to Planned Parenthood in Missouri because staff at the Missouri locations could suggest people travel to other states for abortion services.
“Our administration has been the most pro-life administration in Missouri history,” Parson stated. “We’ve terminated all abortions in this state, approved new support for mothers, expecting mothers, and children, and with this law, ensured that we are not sending taxpayer money to abortion providers for any reason.”
Democrats and abortion advocates argue that the law will disproportionately affect the state’s most vulnerable population, and those who relied on Planned Parenthood for non-abortion services.
Planned Parenthood's St. Louis and southwest Missouri chapter stated that the law would limit low-income people's access to non-abortion-related care in the state.
“Similar to Missouri’s abortion ban, 'defunding' is about power & control; it’s part of the fight to guarantee Missourians — not politicians — control their bodies, lives, & futures!” the chapter posted on the internet.
The chapter mentioned that its clinics are currently open. Planned Parenthood Great Plains CEO and President Emily Wales informed the Missouri Independent that Missouri’s clinics have not received Medicaid reimbursements for two years and have covered the costs through private fundraising.
Planned Parenthood Great Plains serves Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Nearly 1 in 5 of Planned Parenthood’s Missouri patients are on Medicaid, according to the outlet's report.
