JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed legislation to bar reimbursements for non-abortion care provided to patients on Medicaid at Planned Parenthood.
“This is not about punishing Planned Parenthood. This is about punishing the people and families of our state who rely on Medicaid to access critical care,” said Mallory Schwarz Executive Director. “In a state with some of the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, some of the highest rates of domestic and interpersonal violence, and increasing outbreaks of preventable STIs and STDs– our politicians should be working to increase opportunities for people to receive necessary treatment from sexual and reproductive care providers. Targeting Planned Parenthood health centers discriminates against Medicaid patients and violates their right to access essential health care from the providers they trust.”
Recommendations for addressing racial and economic disparities in maternal health in Missouri include increased access to mental health resources throughout pregnancy, increased coverage of postpartum care for low-income mothers and families, and increased uniformity in trauma-informed and culturally competent practices. Critical care that Planned Parenthood provides to the thousands of Missourians their health centers serve each year, particularly those Missourians who rely on Medicaid for their health coverage.
Missourians, Planned Parenthood health centers remain open. Despite anti-abortion, anti-democracy politicians, Planned Parenthood will continue providing care to Missourians who rely on Medicaid, and we will continue to fight to defend them.