Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri Condemns Reckless Attack on Low-Income Missourians’ Access to Health Care

The Missouri Legislature ended its 2017 session today, one week after voting to block access to preventive health care for thousands of Missourians. Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri condemns the ideologically motivated budget measures that could effectively end Missouri’s family planning program — a program that provides birth control and STI testing and treatment to low-income Missourians. In a deceptive attempt to link the program to abortion, the legislation disqualifies health care providers that provide patients with all of their legal options, including abortion. If this measure becomes law, thousands of low-income patients could be left with nowhere to go for high-quality preventive sexual and reproductive health care.

M’Evie Mead, director of policy and organizing for Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri, issued the following statement:

“This is an unacceptable attack against Missourians’ right to choose their own provider, and against doctors who have a duty to inform patients of all their options. It could impact all family planning providers. Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri calls on Governor Greitens to protect access to family planning by vetoing House Bills 10 and 11.

“Thousands of Missourians are now depending on Gov. Greitens to protect access to the most basic health care every person deserves. By restricting choice for thousands of patients, the Missouri Legislature could leave them with nowhere to go for birth control and STI testing and treatment. That’s unacceptable. This is a clear effort to stigmatize safe, legal abortion.”