A state public health official defends the decision to resume state family planning payments to Planned Parenthood, despite a pending lawsuit. Deputy Health Director Tricia Schlechte says the decision actually became pretty simple once the court injunction against Planned Parenthood receiving state money was lifted. The state has released about $600,000 to the Planned Parenthood offices in Kansas City and St. Louis. Missouri Catholic Conference Executive Director Larry Weber is not swayed by the arguments, insisting that the decision violates state law. State law prohibits family planning money from going to agencies that provide abortions. Planned Parenthood insists it complies, because it separates its family planning services from its abortion services.
