Missouri Legislature Passes Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

The Missouri House has approved a measure to block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, sending it to the governor who is expected to sign it into law.

Missouri's GOP-dominated legislature voted to prohibit Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood, a provider of various health services including cancer screenings and STI treatments.
The bill is part of a broader Republican effort to limit the organization's operations in Missouri, despite a near-total ban on abortion in the state since 2022.
Democrats and Planned Parenthood warn that the defunding will severely impact healthcare services for low-income residents, particularly women.
Courts have previously blocked similar attempts to defund Planned Parenthood in Missouri, and a new legal challenge is expected.
A related constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights in Missouri is seeking signatures for a November ballot initiative.