The Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday heard three bills meant to provide additional pro-life protections in Missouri. Two of the bills–SB 160, sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles), and SJR 8, sponsored by Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring)–would prohibit public funding of abortion facilities and affiliates. Although abortion is now prohibited in the state, Planned Parenthood may still receive reimbursement for the non-abortion services it provides. The General Assembly has tried repeatedly to completely defund the abortion provider, but prior attempts have not survived court challenges. The other proposal, SJR 19, sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove), would put a constitutional amendment before Missouri voters stating that nothing in the state’s constitution provides a right to abortion. The MCC testified in favor of all three proposals. They must now be voted out of committee before being considered by the entire Senate.
