women's health

A bill that would improve health care access for Missouri women almost died in the House after some Republican lawmakers falsely conflated birth control with abortion medication. Now, GOP infighting in the Senate could derail it from becoming law.

Missouri Democrats filibustered for more than 11 hours to try and block the bill, which they say will hurt low-income and disabled patients. The legislation would make it financially difficult for Planned Parenthood clinics in the state — which do not provide abortions — to provide health services for Medicaid recipients.

Doulas and birth centers are considered part of the solution to Missouri’s "unacceptable" maternal mortality crisis. But current law makes it difficult to help mothers most in need, because many doulas aren't eligible for Medicaid reimbursements.

The Missouri House advanced a bill that would prevent pregnant inmates in their third trimester from being restrained, except under extraordinary circumstances. The bill would also create certain health care requirements for pregnant inmates and reverse the prohibition on nonviolent drug offenders receiving SNAP benefits.

Black women have some of the highest new infection rates regionally and nationally, and many still face systemic barriers in receiving the health care they need to live healthy and normal lives.

A group called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom is collecting signatures to put abortion rights on the state's November ballot. A recent St. Louis University/YouGov Poll found that 44% of Missourians surveyed would vote for the measure, while 37% were opposed.

Missouri has a 4.225% sales tax on period products and diapers, because they're considered luxury items in the state tax code. Meanwhile, other health care-related products are not taxed at all.

Black women have some of the highest new HIV infection rates in Kansas City and nationally. Many of them face discrimination, stigmas and systemic barriers in receiving the health care they need to live healthy lives.

Jamaa Birth Village plans to open satellite midwifery birthing locations across Missouri next year. Patients can receive midwifery and doula care and social support services in areas with few options for maternity care.

A Kansas judge has temporarily blocked several of the state’s longstanding abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period that providers say has resulted in hundreds of women being denied abortions. The order has already set off renewed pledges by Kansas Republicans to further restrict the procedure in the coming legislative session.

New research estimates Kansas saw one of the most significant increases in abortions in the country, driven by a surge in patients from nearby states.

What happened to abortion numbers since Roe v. Wade fell? The Guttmacher Institute has new state-by-state numbers that show people are traveling for the procedure.