Missouri House Advances Legislation to Prevent Medicaid Funding Going to Abortion Providers

We also took a stance for Pro-Life efforts in the Show-ME State this week by passing legislation aimed at preventing abortion clinics from receiving Medicaid reimbursements.

HB 2634 seeks to make it illegal for public funds, including Medicaid reimbursements, to support abortion facilities or their affiliates. It grants taxpayers and the Attorney General the right to take legal action to enforce these provisions.

The bill also amends an existing statute, requiring MO HealthNet participants to obtain services only from qualified providers and empowering the Department of Social Services to revoke contracts with providers found unqualified due to specific offenses, such as intentional discrimination or support for eugenics. Additionally, the bill prohibits reimbursement to abortion facilities under the “Uninsured Women’s Health Program”.

House Bill 2634 would seek to simply codify that in statute and say that we are not going to allow abortion providers or their affiliates to be reimbursed through our state’s Medicaid program. This legislation ensures taxpayer dollars do not support abortion facilities. This vote is a vote for life.

This move aligns with the long-enduring efforts of the state’s majority party to limit abortion providers’ access to Medicaid funds. Since 2022, the Missouri legislature through the budgetary process has voted to not provide funds to abortion clinics. This unfolds against the backdrop of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s announcement of a lawsuit seeking an injunction against Planned Parenthood Great Plains from trafficking minors out of state to obtain abortions without parental consent.

Missouri House Approves Emergency Funding to Support Border Security Initiative

The Missouri House this week also approved a supplemental appropriations bill to provide emergency funds to deploy members of the Missouri National Guard to the U.S. southern border.

On February 20, 2024, Governor Parson issued Executive Order 24-03, activating 200 Missouri National Guard (MONG) members and 22 Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) troopers to bolster Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star initiative along the Southern Border. The deployment strategy involves implementing rotating shifts for MONG members and dispatching MSHP troopers equipped with standard law enforcement gear, all of whom have volunteered for the mission.

In line with these efforts, we voted to approve HB 2016, a $2.3 million supplemental budget request to support border security initiatives and replenish the Governor’s emergency response fund. The bill, which received bipartisan support, allocates funds to cover expenses related to emergency duties performed by the National Guard under the Governor’s orders.

The approved appropriations bill includes:

Funds for duties performed by National Guard under gubernatorial orders: $2,000,000

Personal Service: $115,074

Expense and Equipment: $91,683

Total appropriation from the General Revenue Fund: $2,206,757

Missouri House Passes Bill to Protect Military Signing Bonuses

We also signed off on a bill aiming to relieve the financial burden on Missouri’s military personnel by ensuring that a significant portion of their signing bonuses remains with them, rather than being surrendered to the government. This initiative, supported by the House, reflects the sentiment that those serving in the armed forces deserve support from their home state.

Currently, Missouri law provides a tax deduction for active and reserve members of the Armed Forces. House Bill 1713 extends this deduction to signing bonuses, recognizing their importance in major life events such as purchasing a home, a vehicle, or supporting a growing family.

Our soldiers, along with their families, already dedicate a substantial portion of their lives to serving their country. This legislation ensures that when they receive a bonus, it directly supports them and their families, without a significant portion being withheld by the government. It also acknowledges the significance of federal tuition assistance as a draw for young people considering military service. By reducing Missouri’s cut into signing bonuses, we aim to support recruitment efforts and honor our military personnel.

This proposal comes at a crucial time when both recruitment and retention in Missouri are experiencing a decline of around 30 percent.

We need to ensure that our military personnel receive fair treatment and support. This legislation not only honors their service but also acknowledges the sacrifices they make in protecting our freedoms. By extending tax deductions to signing bonuses, we are sending a clear message: Missouri stands with our brave men and women in uniform.

Missouri House Honors State’s Veterans with Passage of HB 1496 

This week, we also signed off on a bill to further honor those who have served our country so faithfully. HB 1496 establishes the “Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and Operation Allies Refuge” program, which will award medallions, medals, and certificates of appreciation to Missouri veterans. The bill language states that every veteran who honorably served, at any time, on active duty in the United States military from October 7, 2001 through August 30, 2021 is entitled to receive the aforementioned.

Veterans are entitled to this program, allowing for the following criteria:

Is or was a legal resident of Missouri at the time of enter, discharge, his/her death, or served in a unit of the Missouri National Guard (regardless of state resident status)

Honorably separated or discharged from service, still in active service (honorable) status, or was in such status at the time of his/her death.

Furthermore, the programs’ awards and recognitions are to be awarded regardless of whether an eligible veteran was under the age of 18 at time of enlistment, served within the United States or in a foreign country.  We are deeply committed to the well-being of our veterans who have selflessly protected our nation, and wish to honor and recognize the sacrifices they have made. This bill passed with support from both sides of the aisle, and goes to show our unwavering commitment to honoring the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans who served honorably during pivotal periods in our nation’s history. This is just one small step we can take to express our profound gratitude and ensure that their contributions are recognized and commemorated for generations to come.

Missouri Budget Committee Work Reaches Next Step

The Missouri House Budget Committee has unveiled the Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget, totaling $49.9 billion. It prioritizes education, infrastructure, and workforce development, with significant investments in areas such as K-12 education, transportation, and broadband access. Key highlights include funding for road reconstruction, teacher salary increases, and broadband expansion. The budget also addresses government initiatives to support state employees and combat social issues like human trafficking. The committee emphasizes fiscal conservatism, ensuring accountability and transparency in budget decisions.

Some of the key highlights are as follows:

$727.5 million investment for rebuilding I-44

$100 million for rural and low volume roads

More than $43 million for additional road improvement projects

Over $16 million in port infrastructure projects

$120.6 million increase to fully fund the foundation formula

These initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach to governance, addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges across the state.