KC could offer travel stipend for city employees to get abortion outside of Missouri

City employees could get financial support if they need to travel to get an abortion, under legislation Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas plans to introduce to the Kansas City Council this week.

Additional details about the resolution were not available Tuesday afternoon.

“Kansas City will do all it can to ensure our employees and, ultimately, our residents have access to vital healthcare services.,” Lucas posted on Twitter. “Fighting for rights is more than words.”

It follows an ordinance introduced in St. Louis last week that would use federal COVID-19 relief funds for a $1 million “Reproductive Equity Fund.” Those funds would be used for logistical support such as travel; the money would not fund abortion procedures.

The St. Louis legislation, unlike Kansas City’s, is not restricted to only city employees.

Lucas posted on Twitter that he was proud of the efforts on the east side of the state.

“That’s my sister! Proud of @tishaura and everyone in StL like @AnnieRiceStL showing Missourians what a fight really means. This is the Missouri that raised me.

“Expect us on the west side to be aligned with you. More for us in KC at Council.”

Nearly all abortion is banned in Missouri following the U.S. Supreme Court opinion last week overturning the federal right to abortion established by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Missouri’s ban does not include exceptions for rape or incest, but does for medical emergencies. Many Missourians travel to Kansas to receive an abortion, making up 44% of all abortions performed in the state in 2021.

Kansas voters will decide in August to amend the state constitution to allow state legislators to approve a ban.