Missouri banned abortion. Why is it spending millions to promote alternatives to procedure?

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Even after Missouri banned nearly all abortions, the state continues to spend millions on a program designed to dissuade women from the procedure. Under the state budget that took effect this month, Missouri allocated roughly $8.3 million to the Department of Social Services to fund its “Alternatives to Abortion” program. The program directs people to services that help them carry a pregnancy to term instead of getting an abortion. On top of that funding, DSS is spending $266,000 on a contract with a Christian anti-abortion marketing firm to promote the program. The contract w...