Planned Parenthood agreed to submit documents to Missouri Senate in order to avoid contempt proceeding. While state legislature cut funding for the organization and spending more on education sector.
Last week the Missouri Senate ruled the contempt proceeding against two executives of St. Louis' Planned Parenthood to appear before the Senate on April 25. CEO of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis and Southwest Missouri Mary Kogut and Dr. James Miller of Pathology Services Inc. must appear before Senate, or facing charges against them. The charges could bring penalties of $300 in fines and up to 10 days in jail for both of them.
In order to avoid contempt proceedings, St. Louis Today reported that Planned Parenthood made an agreement with the Senate. Senator Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia and the chairman of the interim Senate Sanctity of Life Committee announced that Planned Parenthood had agreed to submit documents relevant to fetal tissue disposal.
"We do have an agreement with Planned Parenthood that they will comply with the subpoena and produce documents through their lawyer," senator Schaefer said.
Missouri Senate subpoenaed Planned Parenthood in November regarding the six-year documents related to fetal tissue disposal of the organization's abortion practice. Senator Schaefer who is running for Missouri Attorney General leads the Senate committe to investigate the issue.
"I think we were pretty clear what we asked for in the subpoena. We've had discussions with their lawyer," said senator Schaefer. "Again, the misinformation that we wanted six years of personal medical records was simply never asked for. I think they understand that now."
In the press release from the organization, as MissouriNet reported, Kogut says she is pleased with the deal made.
Meanwhile on Thursday, CBS St. Louis reported Senate has also blocked Medicaid funding to be granted to any entity that offers elective abortions. Although State funding is prohibited to pay abortions, but currently Planned Parenthood accepts Medicaid payment for other services such as vaccinations and exams.
Medicaid covers health care for people with low incomes and the budget was allocated at $10.2 billion, with about half of the amount are from the federal government. While for basic aid for K-12 school Senate approve additional $71 million to the nearly $3.3 billion budget. Another additional $2 million is also allocated to boost the Charter School Commission
Meanwhile for higher education, State of Missouri increase core funding by about 4% or $37 million. A representative from higher education said that the raise will be sufficient to prevent increase of tuition for a year ahead.
Planned Parenthood finally agreed to submit documents regarding fetal disposal to Missouri Senate to avoid contempt proceeding. While state legislature cut funding for the organization and spending more on education.
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