🚨 Medicaid is on the Line in Missouri: Act Now
There’s a lot going on with Medicaid right now — and we’re counting on Planned Parenthood supporters like you to contact your legislators and protect this program that provides affordable health care for so many Missourians.
Let’s get up to speed:
- Medicaid Expansion Funding: Last August, after years of work, Missourians came together across party lines and voted to expand Medicaid and bring affordable health care to more than 200,000 Missourians. Now, the Missouri House is refusing to pass the funding for Medicaid Expansion, defying the state constitution and the will of the people. It is up to the Missouri Senate to put the funding in the budget.
- Annual Medicaid Funding: Senate Bill 1 is a routine, must-pass bill that funds about ⅓ of Missouri’s entire Medicaid program. Lawmakers typically pass it each year without much fanfare. This year, however, anti-abortion senators are playing games with it, trying to cut access to birth control and preventive care. The anti-contraception efforts could risk the entire Medicaid program, especially because the federal Medicaid law says Medicaid must fund contraception. We need the Legislature to stop the political games and fund a clean SB 1.
- “Defund” Attacks on Planned Parenthood Patients: The budget for the Department of Health and Senior Services (House Bill 10) includes language attempting to “defund” Planned Parenthood — which we know really means blocking the thousands of patients who rely on Medicaid from accessing vital preventive care like birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing at Planned Parenthood. The data shows that this means fewer patients get the care they need.
Missouri’s Medicaid program — including the expansion that voters put in our state constitution — is too important for the political games going on in Jefferson City right now. Lawmakers have just a few weeks left to get it right.
🏳️⚧️ Protect Trans Kids: Stop the Trans Youth Athlete Ban
Last week, the House voted for a Trans Youth Athlete Ban, which will ban transgender students from playing sports with their peers.
We all know that transgender youth deserve the opportunity to play the sports they love and experience the valuable lessons of being on a team with their peers: teamwork, discipline, success, and failure. Transgender youth in Missouri should be able to be part of a team and play the sport they love as their authentic selves, just like any other young student.
Take action with PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBTQ+ advocates, to #ProtectTransKids and tell Missouri legislators what value sports have brought to your life or the lives of people you love. Remind them why sports are for everyone and we play together for the love of the game and love of the team.
Wednesday: Protect The Ballot Initiative Rally & Advocacy Day
Politicians in Jefferson City are attacking direct democracy, trying to make it harder for Missourians to join together and make laws through the ballot initiative process.
We are fighting back. This Wednesday, Planned Parenthood Advocates is co-sponsoring Protect the Ballot Initiative Rally & Advocacy Day — and you can join us virtually or in person! Here are the details:
- Rally @ 10:00 a.m.
- Meet with legislators @ 11:00 a.m.
📢 #StopSB26: Stand Up for Our Right to Assemble and Protest
Protesting is as American as apple pie. Our parents and grandparents used protests to build the labor movement, to expand suffrage, to fight segregation, and to end child labor. Today we continue the tradition of protest to fight racism, protect workers and save our democracy. But some politicians in Jefferson City want to restrict our freedom to come together to address injustice. Instead of listening to our voices, they want to silence us.
Under Senate Bill 26, taking to the streets for actions like union picket lines, rallies for healthcare, or marches for Black lives could result in severe penalties. Senate Bill 26 is an attempt to silence our voices and criminalize democracy. We could be fined and potentially imprisoned for democratically showing up and speaking out.
Recap: The People’s Hearing
Last Thursday, a coalition of organizations including Planned Parenthood Advocates, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, Missouri Family Health Council, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, PROMO, and Hope Clinic for Women joined forces to hold a virtual People’s Hearing.
This session, lawmakers have refused to follow CDC guidelines to make the Capitol safe while at the same time refusing to allow remote testimony on most bills — shutting many Missourians out of the legislative process. The People’s Hearing was an opportunity for Missourians who’ve been unable to make their voices fully heard to speak up and take action to support reproductive freedom, LGBTQ rights and health equity.
More than 90 people joined the hearing and took action! Attendees got a legislative briefing and heard personal stories that underscore the impact of the policies being made in Jefferson City. State Reps. Trish Gunby and Bridget Walsh Moore shared a compelling update on the recent debates on the House floor.
The People’s Hearing ended with a call to action: Demand our elected officials stop pursuing the wrong priorities and instead focus on Missourians’ health and safety.
☎️ Volunteer Opportunity: Virtual Phone Banks
Want to take action to support reproductive freedom without leaving your house? Our grassroots organizers have just the thing! Join weekly virtual phone banks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for the rest of the legislative session. You bring the computer, phone and internet access, we’ll supply the information and support you need to have impactful conversations with fellow Missourians across the state.
- Tuesday MO Jobs with Justice Medicaid Expansion Phone Bank
- Thursday PPMO Advocates Repro Freedom Phone Bank
- Friday PPMO Advocates Repro Freedom Phone Bank
Last Chance to Give: SEMO Generation Action Health & Hygiene Drive
The Planned Parenthood Generation Action Chapter at Southeast Missouri State University is collecting health and hygiene items (like shampoo, soap, tampons, pads, diapers, socks, shower shoes, towels, blankets, sweatshirts and sweatpants) for The Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau. If you’re nearby, you can bring items to the drop boxes located across campus. If you’d like to donate from afar, you can send Visa gift cards to:
Safe House for Women
P.O. Box 1167
Cape Girardeau, MO 63702
When sending gift cards, please place a note with your donation that it is part of the Planned Parenthood Action SEMO drive. Questions? Email Grassroots Organizer Aaron Lerma!
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