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Future Uncertain for Proposal to Defund Planned Parenthood

Missouri Capitol Building
j.stephenconn
/
Flickr
Missouri Statehouse in Jefferson City

Missouri lawmakers' effort to strip Planned Parenthood of any state money faces an uncertain path forward.

The House passed a budget last week that bars any entity that provides or counsels a woman to get a non-emergency abortion from receiving Medicaid reimbursements. But courts have blocked similar attempts in other states, and the Senate's budget writers have so far declined to endorse the effort.

GOP Rep. Robert Ross said he inserted the measure into the budget because he does not approve of Planned Parenthood's abortion services.

Federal courts have blocked similar attempts to cut the organization's Medicaid funding in Arkansas, Louisiana, Utah, Arizona and Indiana.

Missouri law already bans state money from funding abortions.

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