Missouri “Handmaids” Visit the Capitol to Protest “Defunding” of Planned Parenthood and Attacks on Access to Health Care | Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri

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“Handmaids” oppose measure that could block thousands of Missourians from accessing birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A dozen Missourians from across the state traveled to the Capitol today to protest a measure aimed at “defunding” care at Planned Parenthood. Inspired by actions across the globe, the Missourians dressed in character from The Handmaid’s Tale, a story of a dystopian society in which women are silenced and forced to give birth.

The handmaids descended on the Capitol to oppose two bills passed yesterday. The measures aim to “defund” Planned Parenthood by blocking patients covered by Medicaid and the state Women’s Health Services Program from accessing vital preventive care at Planned Parenthood, including birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment.

Carrying signs saying, “Gilead took my credit card, now Missouri is taking my Medicaid card,” and “The Handmaid’s Tale is not an instruction manual,” the women processed throughout the Capitol. The handmaids visited the House and Senate chambers, as well as the offices of lawmakers who voted to “defund” care at Planned Parenthood and the governor and lieutenant governor.

Photo highlights of the handmaids’ day in the Capitol can be seen here: http://bit.ly/MoHandmaids.

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