The Missouri Supreme Court this week ruled that legislators could not ban abortion providers and their affiliates from receiving Medicaid reimbursements. While state funds cannot be used for abortions, abortion providers can receive Medicaid reimbursement for non-abortion services. Over the years, lawmakers have attempted to prohibit such reimbursements through the state budget.
The legislature in 2022 included a budget item of $0 for any Medicaid service provided by an abortion provider or its affiliate. In a ruling Wednesday, the Missouri Supreme Court once again held that any attempt to defund Planned Parenthood through the budget was unconstitutional. This follows a 2020 Missouri Supreme Court ruling striking down language in a budget bill specifically excluding abortion providers or their affiliates from receiving Medicaid reimbursements.
As these legal challenges progressed through the courts, legislators have also proposed changing Missouri law in order to make Planned Parenthood ineligible for Medicaid reimbursements. Two bills–SB 1168, sponsored by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), and SB 810, sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer (R-Defiance)–are waiting to be considered on the Senate floor.