Judge rules in favor of Planned Parenthood in reimbursement fight

A Cole County judge has ruled that Missouri violated the state constitution by refusing to reimburse Planned Parenthood for services provided to Medicaid patients. 

The organization sued last March after it said Missouri was ending reimbursements for birth control, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and other non-abortion care. 

The state’s Medicaid program does not reimburse for abortions. 

The Department of Social Services refused to reimburse Planned Parenthood after the GOP-controlled House and Senate passed and Governor Mike Parson signed a state budget bill into law. 

Cole County Judge Jon Beetem says the appropriation is available to all eligible MO HealthNet providers.