The Missouri Legislature’s special session is underway in Jefferson City to extend a healthcare tax that helps to fund the state’s Medicaid program. Some conservative lawmakers are attempting to ban Medicaid coverage for certain birth control products and defund Planned Parenthood. On the Senate floor, St. Louis Democrat Brian Williams says the tax reauthorization bill has not been a problem to pass in previous years.

Ash Grove Republican Mike Moon says previous reauthorizations of the tax have been pro-choice. The Senate has scheduled a Thursday afternoon hearing on three bills being offered.