Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill to block Medicaid dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, part of a years-long push by Republicans even as abortion remains illegal in the state. The legislation prohibits any public funds,

Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature has passed a bill to ban Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood

The Republican-led Missouri House on Wednesday sent legislation to Gov. Mike Parson that would bar Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, potentially helping to pave the way for a broader deal to fund state government next year.

The Republican-controlled Missouri Senate early Wednesday passed a bill to block Medicaid dollars from going to Planned Parenthood despite fears that the measure would hurt those who use the organization for a broad swath of services.