Missouri banned abortion. Why is it spending millions to promote alternatives to 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 with Columbia-based Choose Life Marketing was originally awarded in May and renewed by the state through June 2024 late last month….”