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Missouri Supreme Court Hears Arguments to Prohibit Abortion Funding
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 On Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments from the state and Planned Parenthood regarding a challenge to the legislature's decision to prohibit any state funds from going to abortion facilities, including funds for non-abortion services. At issue is House Bill 2011, the appropriations bill for the Department of Social Services for fiscal year 2019. The bill states that "No funds shall be expended to any abortion facility as defined in Section 188.015, or any affiliate or associate thereof."
After Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region was informed that its reimbursement claims for 2019 were denied, it appealed to the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission, which ruled against the abortion provider. Planned Parenthood then filed a petition in St. Louis Circuit Court, which found HB 2011 unconstitutional.
Planned Parenthood claims that HB 2011 essentially overrides a state law requiring Missouri's Medicaid program to pay for family planning services. The state, through Solicitor General D. John Sauer, argued that a previous legislature cannot "tie the hands of its successor" by requiring it to make a specific appropriation in the future.
The judges did not indicate when they might issue a ruling on this case. |
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U.S. Supreme Court Allow Kentucky Informed Consent Law to Stand
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 This week, the United States Supreme Court declined to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upholding a Kentucky informed consent law. The Kentucky law, known as "The Ultrasound Informed Consent Act," requires abortion providers to perform and describe an ultrasound image and play audio of the unborn child's heartbeat.
The Bishops of Kentucky had previously acknowledged their support of the law, saying it was passed "to ensure women have access to unbiased and medically sound information about abortion procedures and the unborn child in the womb before making an irreversible decision to have an abortion."
With the Court's denial to hear the appeal, the Kentucky law can take effect immediately. |
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Nation's Youngest Children Lose Health Coverage at an Alarming Rate
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 According to a recent Georgetown University study, the number of uninsured young children (under age six) in the U.S. increased significantly between 2016 and 2018, following many years of steady decline. Coverage losses were widespread from 2016-2018, with 11 states showing statistically significant increases in the rate and/or number of young uninsured children. Missouri was among this group of states, showing an increase of 1.7% of uninsured children.
Young children are more likely to be uninsured in states that have not expanded Medicaid to parents and other adults under the Affordable Care Act, and the gap is growing. Between 2016 and 2018, non-expansion states saw an increase in the rate of uninsured children under age six that was more than double what occurred in expansion states. Covering parents and caregivers is important to all children, especially so for young children during their critical developmental years. States that expand Medicaid to parents and other adults can expect to see an improvement in their children's insurance coverage rates as well. |
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Pope Francis Celebrates 50 Years of Priesthood
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.jpg) Half a century ago today, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained a priest. Throughout his 50 years of priesthood, Pope Francis has embraced the less fortunate with divine mercy. He sees the role of the priest, and his role as the Holy Father, as that of a shepherd. During an address to priests in the Spring of 2014, the Pope said: "In the image of the Good Shepherd, the priest is a man of mercy and compassion, close to his people and a servant to all... Whoever is wounded in life, in whatever way, can find in him attention and a sympathetic ear....Wounds need to be treated... We priests must be there, close to these people. Mercy first means treating the wounds".
Join us in praying for Pope Francis on his Golden Jubilee, and watch this video from Vatican News to learn more about the Pope's 50 years of priesthood. |
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On Thursday, Catholics across the globe, particularly in the Americas, celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Saint of Mexico and Patron of the Americas, and Patroness of the unborn. Do you know the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe? 
Ceres, the statue that has sat atop the Missouri Capitol building since the 1920s, will once again rise to the dome in the coming week. After restoration, she looks brand new! The statue is a symbol of agriculture, Missouri's top economic driver.