Planned Parenthood organizations in Missouri have taken legal action against a new law that excludes them from the federal Medicaid health insurance program. Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers have lodged complaints with Missouri’s Administrative Hearing Commission to challenge the law, which prohibits Medicaid funds from being allocated to Planned Parenthood. The law, signed by Gov. Mike Parson, is designed to prevent Missouri’s Medicaid program from reimbursing Planned Parenthood for services like pap smears and cancer screenings provided to low-income patients.
The dispute stems from long-standing efforts by Republicans in a state with stringent abortion laws and where Medicaid does not cover the procedure. Anti-abortion activists argue that Planned Parenthood should not receive public funding due to some of its clinics offering abortion services in other states.
Planned Parenthood indicates that only Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas have managed to block Medicaid funding for the organization. Missouri has made repeated attempts over the years to defund Planned Parenthood but has faced legal challenges. Despite the current law, Missouri Planned Parenthood clinics intend to continue delivering healthcare services to Medicaid patients, even without reimbursement from the state.
The state attorney general has not provided immediate comment on the matter. Earlier court rulings have overturned Missouri lawmakers’ previous attempts to discontinue funding for Planned Parenthood, with a recent state Supreme Court decision deeming such efforts unconstitutional.
