* AP last week…
A top Democratic state lawmaker from Republican-led Missouri on Wednesday wrote to the Democratic Illinois and Kansas governors asking for help paying for abortions for out-of-state Medicaid patients.
Missouri House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade called on Illinois and Kansas to apply for Medicaid waivers to cover abortions for out-of-state patients.
Her request came after Democratic President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday aimed in part at making it easier for women seeking abortions to travel between states to obtain access to the procedure. […]
Spokespeople for Kelly and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not immediately respond to Associated Press requests for comment on the federal waiver and Quade’s request.
* Also last week…
Missouri’s top Democratic lawmakers have yet to receive a formal response to letters urging governors in Kansas and Illinois to help pay for abortions for out-of-state Medicaid patients […]
Where there may be more political will is in Democratically-controlled Illinois, where the state’s Medicaid program already pays for abortions for its residents through state funds.
The Illinois legislature is set to convene for a special session on abortion rights, but a date has not yet been announced. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders said in July lawmakers would be convened “in the coming months,” according to The Chicago Tribune.
Representatives for Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. […]
They noted a report released Monday by the state’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review board found that women on Medicaid made up the largest percentage of pregnancy-related deaths at nearly 53% over the course of the three years analyzed. Women on Medicaid were also eight times more likely to die within one year of pregnancy than their counterparts with private health insurance.
* Tribune earlier this week…
An executive order by President Joe Biden last week would let states use Medicaid to help pay for abortions for out-of-state residents in cases of rape, incest or medical emergencies.
Pritzker’s office did not immediately comment on an Associated Press report that Missouri House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade called on Illinois to apply for Medicaid waivers to do just that.
*** UPDATE *** Apparently, nobody in the governor’s office has actually heard from the Missouri legislator…
After we learned of the Missouri leader’s request through the press we reached out to start a discussion, but have not heard back. Our administration remains open to any dialogue with leaders who are working to protect women in states where their rights are being rolled back.
- Helen - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 10:48 am:
Perhaps the Democrats in Missouri should focus on raising money and campaigning on Roe’s overturn so they can deal with this issue in their own State? The public nature of this request makes it seem hopeless for Democrats to achieve a Dem majority in Missouri. After the Kansas landslide, they really need to give it a go in addition to dealing with public requests to other States that help Republicans by drying up their campaign donations and making them look weak.
- H-W - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 10:50 am:
Although Biden signed an Exec. Order allowing Medicaid funds to be used in facilitating abortions, will that E.O. eventually be challenged as a contradiction to the Hyde Amendment?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 10:52 am:
Red states looking for help in women’s health because Republicans are making it / made it dangerous…
Kansas voters know the score.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 10:56 am:
Helen, easier said than done. They are trying, but the MAGA runs deep down here.
- Moira - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 11:00 am:
–Will that E.O. eventually be challenged as a contradiction to the Hyde Amendment?–
Maybe, but the Hyde Amendment does have exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 11:05 am:
I can sympathize with the request from Missouri. However, the best approach here is for the governor of Illinois to focus on providing the best possible services to the residents of Illinois. When that is taken care of to the satisfaction of everyone in the state, then we can discuss directing more resources to helping people from out of state.
In the meantime, any residents from Missouri should move to Illinois if they think this is something that will impact them now or in the future. At that point, the state of Illinois will be able to help you as a resident of the state you live in. Along those lines, I would like to see a state program to give income tax breaks for the first year of residing in Illinois as a way to encourage them to move here where they can then be helped as a resident of the state.
- TheDudeAbides - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 11:07 am:
The political party that claims it’s the party for freedom is against personal freedom for women.
- Almost retired - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 11:22 am:
Illinois Medicaid for most part is 50% federal funds and 50% Illinois funds. She is asking Illinois to use Illinois tax dollars to provide a health service to Missouri citizens. The Administration in my opinion has already used Illinois Medicaid funds with the 20% increase in Medicaid payments for an abortion. I would have great difficulty with Illinois Medicaid being used for any person not a resident of Illinois for any health service. I support the right to abortion and the right for women to make their own healthcare decisions. One can fund raise the dollars necessary to help.
- Earnest - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 11:34 am:
They’ll be coming here anyway, so there is some sense to the Waiver idea. Perhaps frame the request so the federal government not only covers 100% of the cost rather than have to use Illinois state revenue as matching funds as well as include funds to cover the additional administrative costs so that none are borne by the state. This is not an area of expertise, just a little dorm room thinking.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 11:55 am:
Missouri needs to do massive public education to encourage abortion at early stages when medication can be used. who is doing the bulk buy of those pills? money can go to that from Illinois to benefit those who need assistance.Lots in Illinois will need that assistance.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
@TheDudeAbides -
They are for freedom. But, being originalists, they are for freedom for white, male, property holders.