Stop Playing Politics with Patients' Access to Essential Care

I urge you to oppose SB810 (Schroer), HB1563 (Kelley), SB1168 (Coleman), SB916 (Hoskins), HB2175 (Schnelting), HB2634 (Smith), and any similar bills. These proposed "defunding" measures pose a direct threat to patients who rely on publicly funded healthcare, particularly Medicaid, by restricting their access to preventive services at health centers affiliated with abortion providers. This discriminatory approach targets Planned Parenthood, a trusted healthcare provider for many Missourians, and exacerbates existing healthcare disparities in the state. The attacks not only strain Missouri's overburdened healthcare safety net but also violate federal law and defy rulings from the Missouri Supreme Court, risking the entire funding for the state's Medicaid program. By barring Medicaid patients from choosing Planned Parenthood for healthcare services, these measures violate Medicaid's "free choice of provider" requirement, putting Missouri at risk of losing federal Medicaid dollars. The political maneuvering behind these actions is evident, as politicians aim to politicize Planned Parenthood, disregarding the essential healthcare services it provides, such as birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. Despite claims that these measures are about abortion, they directly impact Missourians' access to crucial preventive services necessary for maintaining health and safety. Planned Parenthood's health centers, like those in the St. Louis region and Southwest Missouri, play a vital role in providing high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare, including cancer screenings and a range of birth control options. Displacing patients from Planned Parenthood exacerbates existing healthcare disparities and worsens public health crises, such as the statewide syphilis outbreak and increasing maternal mortality rates in Missouri. These attacks disproportionately affect women and people of color who rely on publicly funded programs like Medicaid. It is crucial to recognize that access to preventive care is more critical than ever, especially in the post-Roe world. Denying people access to Planned Parenthood's services irresponsibly worsens public health disparities. Despite legislative efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, the organization remains committed to offering vital preventive care to Missourians. Instead of blocking access to essential services, now is the time to expand healthcare access and ensure that individuals can receive birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing at Planned Parenthood.