Don't Defund Missouri to Bankroll Anti-Abortion Fake Clinics

I urge you to reject HB1176 (Warwick) and SB681 (Carter), legislation that would expand Missouri’s existing tax credits for donations to unregulated, anti-abortion pregnancy centers. By raising taxpayer subsidies for these facilities from 70% to 100%, these bills prioritize ideology over public health, manipulate vulnerable Missourians, and squander critical state revenue on organizations that deny individuals comprehensive healthcare and reproductive autonomy. These unregulated, anti-abortion pregnancy centers lack medical credibility and transparency. Unlike licensed healthcare providers, these facilities are not bound by medical standards, peer-reviewed science, or ethical obligations to provide accurate information. They routinely mislead patients about abortion risks, contraception, and pregnancy options, often using fear tactics to steer individuals away from legal healthcare services. Taxpayer dollars should never subsidize organizations that distort medical realities to advance an ideological agenda. Additionally, these centers exist to coerce, not care. Their primary mission is to discourage abortion—not to support pregnant individuals’ health, safety, or autonomy. By offering “free” services contingent on anti-abortion counseling, they exploit financial and emotional vulnerability during deeply personal decisions. These bills are also fiscally irresponsible. Eliminating caps on tax credits allows unlimited taxpayer-funded subsidies for these centers, draining millions from public coffers. At a time when Missouri faces a maternal mortality crisis, underfunded schools, and a childcare desert, diverting revenue to unaccountable organizations is reckless. These funds should instead support programs that address systemic inequities in healthcare, housing, and education. Equally alarming, this legislation weaponizes public funds to undermine reproductive freedom. By bankrolling anti-abortion pregnancy centers, the state directly subsidizes entities dedicated to restricting abortion access—effectively using taxpayer dollars to erode constitutional rights. This contradicts the will of Missourians, who overwhelmingly support access to abortion and contraception. Finally, these centers operate with zero accountability. They face no oversight to ensure service quality, client safety, or financial integrity. Taxpayers deserve transparency about how their dollars are used, yet this bill permits these facilities to hide data on outcomes, client satisfaction, and medical accuracy. HB1176 and SB681 exploit Missouri’s tax code to fund organizations that deny residents honest healthcare and bodily autonomy. I implore you to reject this bill and instead invest in policies that expand access to licensed clinics, maternal healthcare, and unbiased resources. Missourians deserve dignity, not ideological manipulation masked as care.