A bill that would block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates passed out of the Senate Wednesday morning after an 11-hour Democratic filibuster. HB 2634, sponsored by Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage), would prohibit any abortion facility or its affiliates from receiving public funds. Federal and state law currently prohibit public funds from being used for abortion. Smith’s bill would expand that prohibition by denying an abortion provider Medicaid reimbursement for non-abortion health care services.
The passage also clears the way for the Senate to pass a renewal of the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA). The FRA is a tax collected from medical providers to support Medicaid, bringing in around $4.5 billion. While the General Assembly has traditionally renewed the tax without issue, in recent years some groups have tried to tie FRA passage with language defunding Planned Parenthood, as the FRA is seen as a must-pass piece of legislation.
The bill was handled by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), who had filed a nearly identical bill in the Senate, and passed on a party-line vote. It must now go back to the House before it can be sent to Governor Parson for his signature.