Latest news with #PlannedParenthoodGreatPlains
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Missouri lawmakers still challenging two voter-approved laws
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some people are saying the will of the people or the vote of the people isn't being followed in Missouri. 'From the time that we decided to move forward with the ballot initiative, through the implementation of Amendment 3, every single piece has been met with some sort of dramatic barrier,' Emily Wales, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, says. 'And now, we are in the fourth month of implementation, and we are still fighting with the attorney general about what 'strict scrutiny' means, about whether or not Missourians should have access to medication abortion, which is the most common type of abortion access in the United States.' Abortion facility licensing requirement lifted by Missouri judge Wales says that Missouri voters were clear on what they wanted. 'And still, we are fighting out every single piece of this conversation about abortion access.' Procedural abortion access has been restored, but medication abortion is still not allowed. 'Kansas City was the first to restore access. We started the day after we got an injunction in February. We were able to restore access in Columbia in March. St. Louis had its first day of procedural care just last week,' Wales shared. 'What we want is for patients to make that choice. Not for the State of Missouri. Not for politicians to make that choice, and right now, it's not up to Missourians and it's not up to the medical providers who offer care. Currently, it is in the state's hands because they have provided so many barriers and roadblocks.' Wales says there's no answer for what's happening beyond politics. 'It's about undermining the will of the people. It's about believing that politicians know better than Missourians and we are seeing that reflected in the legislature as well. Missourians have a constitutional right right now in this state that they cannot realize in large numbers because of politics. That never should have happened. It is happening not only in this context, but we are seeing this play out for sick leave. We are seeing the legislature make plans to undermine Amendment 3 or directly contradict and send something else back to the voters.' Tuesday, a Missouri judge ruled that Platte County Commissioners will not have to implement a child services tax, even though voters approved it. In December, county commissioners referred to the way state law is worded in their decision not to implement the tax. 'I understand the frustration from the people that worked hard to get the signatures (and) to get the measure on the ballot,' Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker of Platte County says. 'The state statute says that, once the ballot measure is approved, the commission 'may' authorize the tax,' Presiding Platte County Commissioner Scott Fricker said. 'The case is very simple.' This is in regards to the Platte County Child Services tax; an incentive to help child mental health services. Missouri lawmakers are going after voter-approved abortion rights. Voters will likely reelect them Fricker says enough money from the taxpayers is already going to mental health services. 'Platte County didn't need another six million dollars of mental health money. The commission, made up of myself and two others, were unanimous in our view, that the Platte County taxpayers are already spending enough in mental health in Platte County,' Fricker shared. 'Very few people will benefit from six million dollars every year. It's too much money.' Fricker says three million is already spent yearly for mental health services in Platte County. 'There is absolutely no correlation between more tax dollars and improved mental health; that's a connection that they were never able to make. They didn't even try to negotiate with us. They knew that we were not in favor of a tax without a sunset,' he added. 'They should have known because they knew all along that we didn't support this.' FOX4 reached out to a party in favor of the tax, they declined to comment on the story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
01-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Planned Parenthood St. Louis resumes surgical abortions, while Missouri blocks others
Planned Parenthood on Thursday resumed surgical abortions in St. Louis, months after voters in November enshrined abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution. The same day, the state health department effectively blocked medication abortions throughout Missouri. The decision leaves abortion access in Missouri in a confusing state: surgical abortions are legal, but Planned Parenthood still cannot offer medication abortions. Planned Parenthood now offers surgical abortions in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. Planned Parenthood Great Plains in February at a Kansas City area clinic performed the first abortion in the state since the fall of Roe v. Wade. A Columbia clinic restarted abortions earlier this month. The first abortion at the St. Louis center since 2022 occurred Thursday. 'We stand ready to welcome more patients to ensure they can get the care they need, when they need it,' Great Rivers President and CEO Margot Riphagen said in a statement. Missouri banned almost all abortions in 2022 when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The ban included exceptions in cases of emergencies, but not for rape or incest. Voters in November responded by passing a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights. While many believed the amendment would undo the ban, the measure left it up to judges to decide whether the state's long list of laws and other regulations are now unconstitutional. A lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion-rights advocates to overturn most of the state's abortion laws is set for trial in January 2026. Planned Parenthood currently cannot provide medication abortions in Missouri, but affiliates in February submitted complication plans to the state health department in order to begin offering medication abortions. Complication plans detail what clinics will do in case of complications from abortions. On March 13, the Department of Health and Senior Services filed emergency complication plan regulations to 'protect Missourians' access to safe and reliable care,' according to the rule. 'The rule will ensure that women can quickly and safely receive proper emergency care for abortion-related complications at a convenient location,' the regulation states. The regulations took effect Thursday. That day, the health department notified Planned Parenthood that its complication plans do not comply with the new rules, without being more specific. A spokesperson for the health department did not immediately return Associated Press requests for comment Friday. Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO Emily Wales said medication abortion is popular among patients who might want a less-invasive abortion because of past abuse. 'We do have patients who've contacted us in the last few months who prefer medication abortion and who will choose to travel rather than exercise their right to abortion in Missouri because medication isn't available to them,' Wales said. GOP Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office is defending Missouri's abortion laws in court, ordered Planned Parenthood to not provide medication abortions in March because the health department has not approved its complication plans. 'This cease and desist letter ensures that basic health and safety standards are met,' Bailey said in a statement after issuing the order. 'Given Planned Parenthood's history, I will continue to ensure their compliance with state law.' Planned Parenthood said it has no plans to provide medication abortions without proper permission. 'There was nothing to cease and desist,' Wales said. Missouri's Republican-led Legislature, which passed the near-total ban, is trying again to limit abortions. A House committee next week is scheduled to advance a new constitutional amendment that would impose additional restrictions on abortion, GOP House Speaker Jon Patterson said. Any proposed amendment would need to be approved by voters. It's unclear exactly how House lawmakers want to regulate abortions further. Patterson said the legislation is currently being negotiated.
CNN
29-03-2025
- Health
- CNN
Planned Parenthood St. Louis resumes surgical abortions, while Missouri blocks others
Planned Parenthood on Thursday resumed surgical abortions in St. Louis, months after voters in November enshrined abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution. The same day, the state health department effectively blocked medication abortions throughout Missouri. The decision leaves abortion access in Missouri in a confusing state: surgical abortions are legal, but Planned Parenthood still cannot offer medication abortions. Planned Parenthood now offers surgical abortions in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. Planned Parenthood Great Plains in February at a Kansas City area clinic performed the first abortion in the state since the fall of Roe v. Wade. A Columbia clinic restarted abortions earlier this month. The first abortion at the St. Louis center since 2022 occurred Thursday. 'We stand ready to welcome more patients to ensure they can get the care they need, when they need it,' Great Rivers President and CEO Margot Riphagen said in a statement. Missouri banned almost all abortions in 2022 when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The ban included exceptions in cases of emergencies, but not for rape or incest. Voters in November responded by passing a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights. While many believed the amendment would undo the ban, the measure left it up to judges to decide whether the state's long list of laws and other regulations are now unconstitutional. A lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion-rights advocates to overturn most of the state's abortion laws is set for trial in January 2026. Planned Parenthood currently cannot provide medication abortions in Missouri, but affiliates in February submitted complication plans to the state health department in order to begin offering medication abortions. Complication plans detail what clinics will do in case of complications from abortions. On March 13, the Department of Health and Senior Services filed emergency complication plan regulations to 'protect Missourians' access to safe and reliable care,' according to the rule. 'The rule will ensure that women can quickly and safely receive proper emergency care for abortion-related complications at a convenient location,' the regulation states. The regulations took effect Thursday. That day, the health department notified Planned Parenthood that its complication plans do not comply with the new rules, without being more specific. A spokesperson for the health department did not immediately return Associated Press requests for comment Friday. Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO Emily Wales said medication abortion is popular among patients who might want a less-invasive abortion because of past abuse. 'We do have patients who've contacted us in the last few months who prefer medication abortion and who will choose to travel rather than exercise their right to abortion in Missouri because medication isn't available to them,' Wales said. GOP Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office is defending Missouri's abortion laws in court, ordered Planned Parenthood to not provide medication abortions in March because the health department has not approved its complication plans. 'This cease and desist letter ensures that basic health and safety standards are met,' Bailey said in a statement after issuing the order. 'Given Planned Parenthood's history, I will continue to ensure their compliance with state law.' Planned Parenthood said it has no plans to provide medication abortions without proper permission. 'There was nothing to cease and desist,' Wales said. Missouri's Republican-led Legislature, which passed the near-total ban, is trying again to limit abortions. A House committee next week is scheduled to advance a new constitutional amendment that would impose additional restrictions on abortion, GOP House Speaker Jon Patterson said. Any proposed amendment would need to be approved by voters. It's unclear exactly how House lawmakers want to regulate abortions further. Patterson said the legislation is currently being negotiated.
CNN
29-03-2025
- Health
- CNN
Planned Parenthood St. Louis resumes surgical abortions, while Missouri blocks others
Planned Parenthood on Thursday resumed surgical abortions in St. Louis, months after voters in November enshrined abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution. The same day, the state health department effectively blocked medication abortions throughout Missouri. The decision leaves abortion access in Missouri in a confusing state: surgical abortions are legal, but Planned Parenthood still cannot offer medication abortions. Planned Parenthood now offers surgical abortions in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. Planned Parenthood Great Plains in February at a Kansas City area clinic performed the first abortion in the state since the fall of Roe v. Wade. A Columbia clinic restarted abortions earlier this month. The first abortion at the St. Louis center since 2022 occurred Thursday. 'We stand ready to welcome more patients to ensure they can get the care they need, when they need it,' Great Rivers President and CEO Margot Riphagen said in a statement. Missouri banned almost all abortions in 2022 when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The ban included exceptions in cases of emergencies, but not for rape or incest. Voters in November responded by passing a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights. While many believed the amendment would undo the ban, the measure left it up to judges to decide whether the state's long list of laws and other regulations are now unconstitutional. A lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion-rights advocates to overturn most of the state's abortion laws is set for trial in January 2026. Planned Parenthood currently cannot provide medication abortions in Missouri, but affiliates in February submitted complication plans to the state health department in order to begin offering medication abortions. Complication plans detail what clinics will do in case of complications from abortions. On March 13, the Department of Health and Senior Services filed emergency complication plan regulations to 'protect Missourians' access to safe and reliable care,' according to the rule. 'The rule will ensure that women can quickly and safely receive proper emergency care for abortion-related complications at a convenient location,' the regulation states. The regulations took effect Thursday. That day, the health department notified Planned Parenthood that its complication plans do not comply with the new rules, without being more specific. A spokesperson for the health department did not immediately return Associated Press requests for comment Friday. Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO Emily Wales said medication abortion is popular among patients who might want a less-invasive abortion because of past abuse. 'We do have patients who've contacted us in the last few months who prefer medication abortion and who will choose to travel rather than exercise their right to abortion in Missouri because medication isn't available to them,' Wales said. GOP Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office is defending Missouri's abortion laws in court, ordered Planned Parenthood to not provide medication abortions in March because the health department has not approved its complication plans. 'This cease and desist letter ensures that basic health and safety standards are met,' Bailey said in a statement after issuing the order. 'Given Planned Parenthood's history, I will continue to ensure their compliance with state law.' Planned Parenthood said it has no plans to provide medication abortions without proper permission. 'There was nothing to cease and desist,' Wales said. Missouri's Republican-led Legislature, which passed the near-total ban, is trying again to limit abortions. A House committee next week is scheduled to advance a new constitutional amendment that would impose additional restrictions on abortion, GOP House Speaker Jon Patterson said. Any proposed amendment would need to be approved by voters. It's unclear exactly how House lawmakers want to regulate abortions further. Patterson said the legislation is currently being negotiated.
Los Angeles Times
29-03-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Planned Parenthood St. Louis resumes surgical abortions, while Missouri blocks others
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Planned Parenthood on Thursday resumed surgical abortions in St. Louis, months after voters in November enshrined abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution. The same day, the state health department effectively blocked medication abortions throughout Missouri. The decision leaves Missouri abortion access in a confusing position: Surgical abortions are legal, but Planned Parenthood still cannot offer medication abortions. Planned Parenthood now offers surgical abortions in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. In February, Planned Parenthood Great Plains performed an abortion in the Kansas City area, the first in the state since the fall of Roe vs. Wade. A Columbia clinic restarted abortions this month. The first abortion at the St. Louis center since 2022 occurred Thursday. 'We stand ready to welcome more patients to ensure they can get the care they need, when they need it,' Great Rivers President and Chief Executive Margot Riphagen said in a statement. Missouri banned almost all abortions in 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. The ban included exceptions in cases of emergencies, but not for rape or incest. Voters in November responded by passing a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights. While many believed the amendment would undo the ban, the measure left judges to decide whether the state's laws and other regulations are now unconstitutional. A lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion-rights advocates to overturn most of the state's abortion laws is set for trial in January. Planned Parenthood cannot provide medication abortions in Missouri, but affiliates in February submitted complication plans to the state health department in order to begin offering medication abortions. Complication plans detail what clinics will do in case of complications from abortions. On March 13, the Department of Health and Senior Services filed emergency complication plan regulations to 'protect Missourians' access to safe and reliable care,' according to the rule. 'The rule will ensure that women can quickly and safely receive proper emergency care for abortion-related complications at a convenient location,' the regulation states. The regulations took effect Thursday. That day, the health department notified Planned Parenthood that its complication plans do not comply with the new rules, without being more specific. A spokesperson for the health department did not return requests for comment. Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and Chief Executive Emily Wales said medication abortion is popular among patients, who might want a less-invasive abortion because of past abuse. 'We do have patients who've contacted us in the last few months who prefer medication abortion and who will choose to travel rather than exercise their right to abortion in Missouri because medication isn't available to them,' Wales said. Atty. Gen. Andrew Bailey, whose office is defending Missouri's abortion laws in court, ordered Planned Parenthood in March to not provide medication abortions because the health department has not approved its complication plans. 'This cease and desist letter ensures that basic health and safety standards are met,' Bailey, a Republican, said in a statement after issuing the order. 'Given Planned Parenthood's history, I will continue to ensure their compliance with state law.' Planned Parenthood said it has no plans to provide medication abortions without proper permission. 'There was nothing to cease and desist,' Wales said. Missouri's Republican-led Legislature, which passed the near-total ban, is trying again to limit abortions. A House committee next week is scheduled to advance a new constitutional amendment that would impose additional restrictions on abortion, said Speaker Jon Patterson, a Republican. Any proposed amendment would need to be approved by voters. It's unclear exactly how House lawmakers want to further regulate abortions. Patterson said the legislation is in negotiations. Ballentine writes for the Associated Press.
