JEFFERSON CITY — Even though abortion is illegal in Missouri, opponents of the procedure are taking their legislative fight against Planned Parenthood in a new direction.
With the Missouri Supreme Court barring anti-abortion forces from inserting language into the state budget aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood, Republican Rep. Nick Schroer of Defiance outlined a stand-alone bill Wednesday aiming to sidestep the court decision.
“Our tax dollars should not be going toward those types of institutions,†Schroer told members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. “Even if it’s a penny.â€
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The proposed law would attempt to bar the state’s Medicaid program from reimbursing medical services performed at Planned Parenthood facilities.
It comes after abortion opponents fought unsuccessfully to attach similar language to a hospital and nursing home tax that provides a massive source of money for the state’s $12 billion Medicaid program.
Supporters of defunding Planned Parenthood say its Missouri clinics are affiliated with clinics operating in states where abortion is legal and should not receive money from taxpayers.
Sam Lee of Campaign Life Missouri told the panel that Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state could be helping women get abortions in nearby Kansas and Illinois.
“They don’t deserve to get any of our state tax dollars,†Lee said.
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, who is chair of the committee, said Planned Parenthood in Missouri could merely drop its affiliation with out-of-state operations and not lose Medicaid funding.
Coleman, a staunch abortion opponent, recently launched a campaign for Congress in Missouri’s 3rd district where incumbent Blaine Luetkemeyer is retiring.
Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, suggested that the anti-abortion forces are overstepping their bounds.
“Abortions are not happening in the state of Missouri,†Arthur said. “You are creating a scenario where there may be more unwanted pregnancies.â€
Michelle Trupiano, executive director of the Missouri Family Health Council, said the legislation would affect the ability of women to get health care.
“The safety net is broken. There are not enough providers,†Trupiano said. “There is a health care shortage across the state.â€
Ron Berry, a lobbyist for Kansas-based Great Plains Planned Parenthood, which also operates in Missouri, said defunding the health care provider would leave gaps in coverage across the state.
“If you take away the funding for this, where are these individuals going to go?†Berry said.
Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life, said there are other options in the state for women, including federally qualified health centers.
“There are places where women can get care,†Klein said.
A parade of witnesses supporting Planned Parenthood from across the state urged the panel to reject the maneuver.
“Please don’t take away my neighbors’ health care,†said Lisa Williams of ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
“Please don’t take away that form of care from people I love,†added Katherine Ryan of ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
No vote was taken on the measure Wednesday. It could come up in the committee next week.
The legislation is .