Missouri GOP state senator proposes barring women from Medicaid access for life if they receive an abortion

On Wednesday, Missouri state Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) introduced an amendment to state law which would permanently bar women from accessing Medicaid benefits if they have received an abortion in their lifetime.

The Missouri Senate Democrats first posted the copy of the amendment to X.

Republicans in Missouri have drafted an amendment to ban women for life from accessing Medicaid if that woman has ever had an abortion. #moleg pic.twitter.com/BJpl5eeX0L

— Senate Democrats (@MoSenDems) February 7, 2024

Moon’s currently unnamed amendment preceded the Missouri GOP declining to adopt rape and incest exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban on Friday. These exceptions were introduced by Democrats in response to a Republican attempt to remove Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood clinics. Under current law, Missouri does not allow abortion in any case unless there is a “medical emergency.”

State Sen. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo) justified her opposition to rape and incest exceptions on religious beliefs.

“God is perfect. God does not make mistakes,” Crawford said during debate. “And for some reason, he allows that to happen. Bad things happen. I’m not going to be able to support the amendments because I am very pro-life.”

Democrats also introduced an amendment to allow a girl who is 12 years old or younger to receive an abortion. Sen. Doug Beck (D-South St. Louis County), the bill’s sponsor, cited the major health issues of a 12-year-old being forced to carry a pregnancy to term.

Last April, Moon said he supports children getting married as an alternative to abortion.

Last night, Missouri voted to ban care for trans youth and ban from sports to “protect kids.”

Later, the sponsor, Sen. Moon, was asked about a vote on child marriage.

He DEFENDED 12 year olds getting married, saying he knows some who are still married!pic.twitter.com/LFFICu4ecC

— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) April 12, 2023

Moon was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2013 and has served in the state Senate since 2021. In addition to supporting stringent anti-abortion and child marriage policies, Moon supports eliminating corporate taxes, loosening environmental regulations and abolishing gender-affirming care.