JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In a state where abortion is illegal, the debate over Planned Parenthood’s funding has once again ignited, with over 30,000 Missourians relying on the organization for essential healthcare services.

The issue has resurfaced as Republican lawmakers push to block state funding from reaching abortion providers and their affiliates. Representative Bill Eigel, representing the Republican leadership, saw the recent defunding of Planned Parenthood as a significant victory.

This move comes in response to previous rulings by the Missouri Supreme Court, which twice banned lawmakers from withholding Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood through the budget process. The bill’s sponsor argues that this new approach bypass those rulings.

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Liz Dowell, Emily Manley, ozarksfirst.com)