Although state Senators were able to resist a hardline conservative attempt to withdraw Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood but Missouri Republicans have not given up on trying to eliminate the provider from the state's health program,Republican senators stated that they have been assured by Gov. Mike Parsons administration will likely pursue regulatory action against the organization to end its role in Medicaid.The House will meet in special session Tuesday to renew a crucial tax that funds the Senate's health program. Separate legislation will be introduced to ban payments to Planned Parenthood.Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri stated Monday that anti-abortion politicians are still trying to undermine this vital health program for low-income people by considering illegal defunding of Planned Parenthood.Missouri could end up in a dispute with the Biden administration. The Biden administration has stated that it is opposed to efforts to block federally-funded family planning programs from providers of family planning. Although the administration has not yet addressed Missouri's specific needs, some lawmakers believe it will.I'm not sure that the Biden administration doesn't want to set an example, according to Sen. Mike Cierpiot of Lees Summit Republican.Medicaid doesn't cover abortions under federal and state law. However, Planned Parenthood's status in Missouri as the sole abortion provider at its St.Louis facility has prompted many attempts by hard-right Republicans for it to be removed from its role in providing taxpayer-funded health care for low-income women.Medicaid's Planned Parenthoods 11 family-planning clinics offer birth control, treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, screenings for cancer, and other services.After a long and bitter battle, the state Senate rejected Saturday's latest attempt by Lake St. Louis Senator Bob Onder to attach the ban against payments to Planned Parenthood (Ban on Payments to Planned Parenthood) to the renewal tax on medical providers that generates billions for the states Medicaid program.Continue the storyThe program does not include the abortion pill as part of the compromise language.Republicans quickly declared that the state would still consider excluding the provider after the Senate vote.The Missouri Senate and House leaders are working together with Governor Parson to create a plan to defund Planned Parenthood. Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (a Columbia Republican) released a statement via Facebook.In a joint statement, Parson and Senate President Dave Schatz (a Sullivan Republican) stated that they had both made a commitment to take the necessary executive action to deliver the decisive punch on Planned Parenthood funding.Kelli Jones, Parsons spokeswoman, did not respond Monday to a query about details of the executive actions being considered. Schatz and Rowden did not respond to calls for comment.Because the repeal of Planned Parenthood could cause the state's entire Medicaid program to collapse, lawmakers refused to pass it in the tax renewal bill. Cierpiot stated that Republicans discovered that the Parson administration could rewrite Medicaid rules in its own way, which would exclude abortion providers from the program.He said that if we find the rules to be too restrictive, we can always try another method or try something else. It's just a better way. Funding is not a threat.It is not clear how the Biden administration will respond to a proposal restricting abortion providers' affiliates. Federal law forbids states from exclusion of qualified Medicaid providers without justification. Trump's administration in 2018 removed Obama-era guidance that states had previously stated they couldn't exclude providers from being abortion clinics. Both in Arkansas and Texas, Republican administrations have been able to severeen their ties with Planned Parenthood through federal appeals courts.According to Sam Lee, Missouri's anti-abortion lobbyist, it is a legal question.Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri have launched a petition asking for the Biden administration's input on Missouri's efforts.We are urging the White House, which is pro-reproductive health, to clarify that every Missourian who depends on Medicaid has the right to choose their provider.Meanwhile, the House Republicans are racing this week to push for the Planned Parenthood ban that the Senate rejected Saturday.The House Budget Committee will hear the bill to renew medical provider tax. It must be passed by July 1, before Parson can enact drastic budget cuts. In addition, it will also hear two pieces legislation that completely exclude Planned Parenthood and abortion clinic affiliates Medicaid funding.It is sponsored and sponsored by Nick Schroer (Ofallon Rep.), who is one of several House Republicans who has stated that they want to reinstate Onders language along with passage of the tax renewal.In 2018, and 2019, lawmakers included the ban in the state's budget. The state withheld $1 million from Planned Parenthood affiliates payments before the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the legislature could not pass the legislation through the state budget.Reporting by Jonathan Shorman, Stars
