Christopher Caldwell:Planned Parenthood challenges Missouri law that kicked area clinics off of Medicaid

2025-05-07 03:02:19source:Christopher Caldwellcategory:Invest

COLUMBIA,Christopher Caldwell Mo. (AP) — Missouri Planned Parenthoods filed legal challenges Monday against a new law that kicked the organizations off the federal Medicaid health insurance program.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers said they are filing complaints with the state’s Administrative Hearing Commission, which functions as a court to hear disputes between Missouri government and private organizations.

At issue is a new law banning Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood, a move Republicans have tried for years in a state where almost all abortions are banned and the procedure is not covered by Medicaid.

The law, signed by Gov. Mike Parson in May, aims to make it illegal for Missouri’s Medicaid program to reimburse Planned Parenthood for health care services to low-income patients, such as pap smears and cancer screenings.

Abortion opponents have said Planned Parenthood should not receive any public funding because clinics in other states provide abortions.

Only Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas have successfully blocked Medicaid funding for the organization, according to Planned Parenthood.

RELATED COVERAGE Missouri abortion-rights amendment faces last-minute legal challengesCourt tosses Missouri law that barred police from enforcing federal gun lawsParson says Ashcroft is blocking effort to ban unregulated THC because of hurt feelings

Missouri has tried for years but has repeatedly been overruled by the courts. A February state Supreme Court ruling found that Missouri lawmakers’ last attempt at defunding Planned Parenthood was unconstitutional.

The state attorney general did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday.

Planned Parenthood said Missouri clinics will continue providing health care to Medicaid recipients even though the centers will not be reimbursed by the state.

More:Invest

Recommend

Fired, rehired, and fired again: Some federal workers find they're suddenly uninsured

Danielle Waterfield was already dealing with the shock and disappointment of being fired from a job

Noah Lyles says his popularity has made it hard to stay in Olympic Village

PARIS − U.S. track and field star Noah Lyles is staying at the Paris Olympic Village, but this might

California school official convicted of embezzling over $16M concealed cash in fridge

A former California public school district official was sentenced to 70 months last week after being