The Missouri Legislature pulled funding for Planned Parenthood from the state Medicaid budget. An amendment restricting $10.8 million in Medicaid reimbursements goes into effect July 1.
The language says Medicaid funds may not be disbursed to persons or entities that “perform or induce abortions, or encourage or refer for abortions which are not necessary to save the life of the mother.”
Joe Ortwerth, executive director of the Missouri Family Policy Council, one of Kansas Family Voice’s 40 state allies, said women will still receive care they need – there are 24 qualified health care centers compared to just 14 Planned Parenthood facilities.
“The 2018 budget also makes clear that the State of Missouri remains committed to providing maternal health care services to low-income women,” Ortwerth said. “The budget includes a $14 million appropriation to the Show-Me Healthy Babies Initiative. That program provides health insurance coverage for pregnant women and their children in families which are not eligible for Medicaid and cannot obtain health insurance coverage.”
Kansas Family Voice is proud of the hard work state ally Missouri Family Policy Council has done to get defunding pushed through. We’ll continue to work with other state groups and Congress to defund Planned Parenthood.