Access to reproductive healthcare provided by organizations like Planned Parenthood can be very crucial for women. Many women lack access to affordable healthcare elsewhere, making clinics like these a vital resource. It offers confidential and nonjudgemental care for those who may feel stigmatized in other healthcare settings.
Republican lawmakers have made their third attempt at passing a law to defund Planned Parenthood. In this particular case, it would ban Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood or any provider associated with abortion. Previously, they attempted to lessen funding for Planned Parenthood through the state budget but failed due to it being ruled unconstitutional.
Due to the recent signing of this bill by Governor Mike Parsons, Missouri will be the fourth state in the nation to ban Medicaid reimbursement to Planned Parenthood.
This legislation is extremely harmful to low income families and patients who may rely on the care that Planned Parenthood provides them. Without Medicaid to assist with costs, it may be unfeasible to receive basic healthcare.
This is unconstitutional and denies many women their right to proper care. According to missouriindependent.com, Republicans argue that there should not be any state funding or tax money going to organizations that are associated with abortion. While Planned Parenthood has previously offered abortion services, they are currently prohibited from doing so in Missouri due to laws that ban abortion entirely, except in cases of medical emergencies.
Since Planned Parenthood no longer provides abortion services, I do not think the company should be perceived as a threat based on differing ideologies or past resentment. It is crucial to recognize that they offer a wide range of services beyond just abortion, including things that are crucial to healthcare.
Services from Planned Parenthood are vast. According to plannedparenthood.org, they provide birth control, HIV services, mental health care, pregnancy testing and planning, prenatal and postpartum services, STD treatment, preventive and reproductive care, and more. Reproductive healthcare is essential for everyone.
Previously, Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri were without Medicaid reimbursements for two years. At the time, the organization could provide services for patients through private funding. This method would only be manageable in the short term.
According to missouriindependent.com, nearly one in five patients who visit Planned Parenthood are on Medicaid. The organization being defunded would mean they may not be able to see patients insured by Medicaid at all.
This is a spiteful way for Republicans to retaliate against abortion. It is unfair to many patients and indirectly singles out disabled and low income citizens. There may not be other clinics to offer the same care to those in need.
With strict laws placed on abortions in Missouri, the least lawmakers can do is provide women the right to reproductive care.
