Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Three Pro-Life Bills

The Senate Committee on Seniors, Families, Veterans, and Military Affairs this week heard testimony on three pro-life bills. SB’s 639 and 698, sponsored by Senators Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur) and Elaine Gannon (R-De Soto), would extend MO HealthNet coverage for low-income pregnant or postpartum women for one year following the pregnancy. Under the current law, new mothers who qualify for pregnancy-related coverage through MO HealthNet lose that coverage 60 days following the birth of their child. The committee also heard testimony on SB 667, sponsored by Senator Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield). The bill would prohibit any public funds from going to any abortion provider or its affiliate. Federal and state law currently prohibits public funds from being used for abortion. Burlison’s bill would expand that prohibition by denying an abortion provider Medicaid reimbursement for non-abortion health care services.

The MCC submitted testimony in favor of all three bills. If the bills are voted out of committee, they would go to the full Senate for debate.