Planned Parenthood considering legal options after governor signs bill to block MoHealthNet funds

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Money from Missouri's Medicaid program, MoHealthNet, can no longer go to abortion providers or their affiliates.

In Missouri, that means Planned Parenthood, which is no longer able to perform abortions under state law.

The new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, was signed Thursday morning in the State Capitol by Gov. Mike Parson.

Planned Parenthood Greater Plains CEO Emily Wales said after the signing that despite this new law, Planned Parenthood locations are working to take MoHealthNet patients at no cost to them.

"It's not about making money," Wales said. "It's about letting people choose the provider they want."

Planned Parenthood offers multiple services for low-income women's health, not just abortion. Efforts to defund Planned Parenthood have been struck down by the courts in the past, but the bill sponsors and the governor believe this is the one that will stick.

"We know that Planned Parenthood is not a good actor, and under his leadership, he's done everything he can to make sure that taxpayer dollars do not go to organizations that support and fund abortions," said bill sponsor Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold).

Wales said Planned Parenthood is considering legal action against the bill.

"It certainly wouldn't be the first time that we've challenged the state over unfairly attempting to terminate us from Medicaid," Wales said. "We've been successful previously."

Senate Appropriations Chair Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), who voted in favor of the bill, previously told ABC 17 News that Planned Parenthood is not currently getting any state money.

"In the now almost year and a half that I've been the appropriations chair in the Senate, we have not reimbursed Planned Parenthood with state dollars," Hough said.