Planned Parenthood filed legal challenges Monday against a new Missouri law that removed the organization from the state’s Medicaid program. The law, signed by Governor Mike Parson in May, bans Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers announced they are filing complaints with the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission.
This commission functions as a court to hear disputes between the state government and private organizations. The key issue is the new law that seeks to make it illegal for Missouri’s Medicaid program to reimburse Planned Parenthood for health care services provided to low-income patients. These services include pap smears and cancer screenings.
Abortion opponents argue that Planned Parenthood should not receive any public funds because clinics in other states provide abortions. However, abortions are banned in Missouri and the procedure is not covered by Medicaid.
planned parenthood fights Medicaid ban
Missouri has made several attempts over the years to defund Planned Parenthood, but these efforts have been repeatedly overruled by the courts. A state ruling in February found that Missouri lawmakers’ previous attempt to defund Planned Parenthood was unconstitutional. Nearly one in five Planned Parenthood patients in Missouri is insured through MO HealthNet, the state’s Medicaid program that serves low-income and disabled residents.
Critics of the law argue it would primarily harm low-income Missourians who could be forced to find a new provider through the state’s already strained public health safety net if Planned Parenthood cannot foot the bill for these patients long-term. This could delay critical and potentially life-saving care. Planned Parenthood stated that Missouri clinics will continue to provide health care to Medicaid recipients, even though the centers will not be reimbursed by the state for these services.
Some clinics have offset the cost of care with private fundraising. The Missouri Department of Social Services, which oversees the state’s Medicaid program, said it doesn’t comment on pending litigation. The Missouri state attorney general did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
- ABC17News.”Planned Parenthood files lawsuit against state over new health care bill”.
- APNews.”Planned Parenthood challenges Missouri law that kicked area clinics off of Medicaid”.
- MissouriIndependent.”Planned Parenthood challenges new Missouri law blocking Medicaid payments to its clinics”.