HB 481 -- PUBLIC FUNDS

CO-SPONSORS:  Crowell, Bearden, Rupp, Moore, Ervin, Lipke (157),
Smith (14), Muckler, Dixon, Viebrock

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 11 to 3.

This bill prohibits the expenditure of public funds to existing
or proposed health and social services programs that directly or
indirectly subsidize abortion services.  An entity that is
affiliated with another entity that provides abortion services
may only receive public funds if the affiliated entity is an
independent affiliate.  Entities that provide counseling to
pregnant women and receive public funds may only provide
non-directive pregnancy counseling and may not display or
distribute materials promoting abortion services.

The bill requires entities that receive public funds to maintain
records that demonstrate strict compliance with this section.  An
independent audit of these entities must be conducted at least
once every three years.  If the recipient of public funds is
affiliated with an entity that provides abortion services, an
audit must be conducted each year to ensure compliance.  The bill
includes exceptions for reimbursement to entities that provide
services that are required under federal Medicaid regulations and
certain services required under the federal family planning
program.

The bill also prohibits public funds from being expended on
existing or proposed research projects that involve abortion
services, human cloning, or prohibited human research.

The bill gives taxpayers of the state standing to bring suit
against the state or a recipient of public funds in violation of
the provisions of the bill.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will codify ethical
standards pertaining to the use of public funds for research
projects and health and social service programs that do not
endorse or provide abortion services.  Public funds should not be
used to finance human cloning or prohibited human research.  The
bill requires independent audits of entities that receive public
funds to ensure accountability and strict compliance with the
bill.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Crowell; Campaign
Life Missouri; and Missouri Right to Life.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that another barrier
would be established for the already low numbers of health care
professionals who provide a full range of reproductive health
care services for women and primary health care services for
women and men.  The provision of these health care services could
be disrupted, thus limiting access by persons who do not have
adequate health care coverage.  If the number of health care
providers is reduced and the provision of a full range of health
care services is disrupted, the likelihood that other health care
professionals who would be willing to provide health care
services to persons with inadequate health insurance coverage
would decrease.

Testifying against the bill were Sinclair School of Nursing,
University of Missouri-Columbia; Kerri McBee; Boone County Health
Department; Jennifer Hughes; Planned Parenthood of the Rocky
Mountains, Southwest Missouri; Jane Mudd; Brandi Acree; Robin
Cornelison; Susan Hilton, Executive Director, Missouri Family
Health Council; Alison Barresi; Planned Parenthood of Kansas and
Mid-Missouri; Planned Parenthood, Tri-Rivers Region; Planned
Parenthood of the St. Louis Region; and National Abortion and
Reproductive Rights Action League.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am