Missouri Republicans have twice tried to ban abortion.
Do you think it's ridiculous? That's kind of it. Of course, abortion has been illegal in the state since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022. If a woman wants to become pregnant or needs to terminate a pregnancy, she is either out of luck or will probably have to travel to neighboring Kansas. The procedure remains legal there, despite stricter regulations.
But for now, legal abortions are not available in the Show-Me State except in emergencies.
But that's not enough for Jefferson City Republicans. They voted last week to block Medicaid funds from going to family planning programs and their medical clinics in the state.
why? Abortion, of course.
“This is not medicine,” said state Rep. Massie Christensen of Bethany. “These facilities shouldn't be in our state. I'm tired of hearing that.”
Except, of course, medical care is exactly what the family planning system provides in Missouri. This organization did not disappear just because abortion was banned. Currently, in addition to breast and cervical cancer examinations, prenatal and postnatal care, we also perform sexually transmitted disease tests. And even birth control.
It's pretty important, so if you need it.
But I won't have an abortion. These are illegal except in cases of “medical emergency,” but medical professionals do not use this distinction as a loophole. Only 52 of those cases occurred in the state between June 2022 and 2023, and none of the procedures were performed at Missouri family planning clinics, according to the nonprofit Missouri Independent. In other words, the Missouri Republican Party is actually trying to cut funding to organizations that cannot serve the purpose for which they are being defunded.
Assuming Gov. Mike Parson signs the bill, Missouri will become the first state to effectively ban abortion twice. If you think about it, this is a pretty neat trick. And if you have an anti-abortion right, that could probably be pretty great.
However, for women who just want to get a cancer screening in a place like Joplin or Rolla, life can be a little more difficult.
Attempt to block referendum petition
But another interpretation of this defunding effort is that Missouri Republicans want to ensure that abortion remains banned once it is done.
After all, pro-choice activists are working to gather signatures for a petition to put the issue on the ballot in a statewide referendum. Since Roe was ousted, similar statewide votes across the country have consistently supported those who want to maintain or restore access to abortion, even in deep red states.
Missouri will likely have the same outcome. Republicans in the General Assembly know this. That's why they've spent the last few months watering down the referendum petition process. They don't want Missouri voters (the people who ostensibly hold the state's democratic power) to actually have a say in whether abortion is legal or illegal.
The same goes for defunding Planned Parenthood. Even if Missouri voters restore the legality of abortion, Republicans will likely take steps to ensure access to abortion remains restricted. This new measure is simply a way to keep voters away from the mountain pass.
“Missouri will continue to be a pro-life state,” said Congressman Brian Seitz, R-Branson.
Even if Missourians choose otherwise. So much for democracy.
Of course, there is a third way to read this defunding effort. It's that the Missouri Republican Party isn't just trying to crack down on abortion in Missouri. They are working to undermine Planned Parenthood nationwide.
State Rep. Kody Smith, the original bill's sponsor, said the new bill “does much of what we originally intended,” adding “funding for abortion providers and their affiliates.” The provision will be discontinued.”
What about affiliates? In Missouri. Who is the provider? Not in Missouri. This suggests that Missouri Republicans are intent on reducing access to abortion across state lines.
But that's not their real job, right?
Let’s summarize: A bill that defunds the Planned Parenthood program would negatively impact the health of Missouri women. It negatively affects the power of voters. And this is an example of despicable but pragmatic legislative overreach.
It was bad enough to ban abortion once. Banning it twice turned out to be even worse.
