Sen. Hawley Urges RFK Jr. to Cut Federal Family Planning Funds to Missouri Nonprofit
Missouri’s Republican senator targets the state’s only federal family planning grantee during congressional hearing, despite legal prohibitions on using funds for abortion services.
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley urged Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to end federal family planning funding to Missouri’s only Title X grantee during a congressional hearing Wednesday, focusing on a nonprofit that received $8 million in federal support.
During the Department of Health and Human Services Budget hearing, the Missouri Republican senator asked Kennedy to stop providing Title X funding to Beacon Reproductive Health Network, a Jefferson City-based nonprofit. Hawley labeled the organization an “abortion provider” despite federal law prohibiting Title X funds from being used for abortions.
“Can you tell me, when are we going to stop funding people like this?” Hawley asked Kennedy. “I don’t think that this kind of entity ought to be getting federal tax money.”
Organization Defends Its Mission
Michelle Trupiano, executive director of Beacon Reproductive Health Network, called Hawley’s comments inaccurate and misleading. The organization, formerly known as the Missouri Family Health Council, has led the state’s Title X program for nearly 45 years.
“Senator Hawley is out of touch and doesn’t understand how we need a robust network of every provider type, including health departments, hospital clinics, [Federally Qualified Health Centers] and Planned Parenthood to meet the needs,” Trupiano told The Independent on Thursday. “He is determined to decimate the network and reproductive health care for Missourians.”
Statewide Network at Risk
Beacon distributes Title X grants across 65 Missouri health centers, including city and county health departments, community action agencies, federally-qualified health centers and hospital-based clinics. The network also partners with family planning clinics, including seven Planned Parenthood locations, to fund healthcare services such as contraception.
The organization’s federal funding was restored several months ago after previously facing cuts. Federal Title X funding supports family planning services for low-income individuals and families, providing contraception, cancer screenings, and other reproductive health services.
A spokesperson for Hawley did not immediately respond to requests for comment about his latest push to eliminate the funding. The senator’s challenge comes as Missouri continues to face restrictions on reproductive healthcare access following recent legislative changes.
