The ACLU of Missouri is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization with the mission of protecting and expanding the constitutional rights and civil liberties of all Missourians guaranteed under the United States and Missouri Constitutions, with a particular focus on the Bill of Rights.
On behalf of our thousands of members across the state of Missouri,we submit these comments against the proposed suspension of the Women’s Health Services Program, or the establishment of a new state-funded program – unless every patient can be guaranteed at least the same level of health care they receive under the Women’s Health Services Program.
At a minimum, the Department of Social Services must:
- Ensure that all people currently enrolled in the Women’s Health Services Program areautomatically transferredto the new state-funded program. No one should have to re-apply for a new program or wait for a new insurance card to come in the mail before they can access care;
- Guarantee that the state-funded program will provide at least the same benefits and services currently provided through the Women’s Health Services Program, including free well-woman exams, life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, and STI services;
- Make sure enough licensed and trained women’s health care providers participate in the new state-funded program so that patients are able to access timely and quality care from providers who they trust; and
- Provide people enrolled in the new state-funded program a provider directory with accurate contact information so that they can make appointments and receive critical health services without delay.
Additionally, the Department should make sure to reinstate the federal-funded Missouri Women’s Health Program as soon as it can. The Missouri General Assembly forced Missouri to leave $8 million in federal funding on the table when it pushed through legislation to end the program. Missourians should not have to pick up the tab for bad legislation that will harm their health.
Missourians deserve access to quality health care and should be able to access medical care from trusted providers, including from Planned Parenthood. Missourians ability to access needed medical care should never be subject to partisan politics or anti-civil liberties ideology.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our comments on the proposed Women's Health Services Program suspension. The ACLU of Missouri is available at any time to discuss or expand upon these comments.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Mittman
Executive Director, ACLU of Missouri