Latest news with #SaveMOBabiesAct
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Missouri lawmaker proposes registry of pregnant women ‘at risk' for abortions
A Republican lawmaker in Missouri has introduced legislation to create a registry of pregnant women who are 'at risk' of having an abortion – a proposal the bill's author characterized as an 'eHarmony for babies' that could also help match adoptive parents with babies. If passed, the bill would create two registries: one for people 'at risk' of abortions and one for people looking to adopt. Members of each registry could access the other, while Missouri government officials would be tasked with helping members meet each other and facilitating adoptions. The bill's goal is to 'reduce the number of preventable abortions in Missouri'. 'Mothers who choose to put their children up for adoption need to match with prospective adoptive parents,' Gerard Harms, an adoption attorney and the author of the Save MO Babies Act, testified in a Missouri state legislative committee hearing on Tuesday. 'That's what this database is.' The bill does not define what puts someone 'at risk' of abortion. The Save MO Babies Act is the latest in a series of anti-abortion efforts to expand government tracking of pregnant women and abortion patients. Project 2025, the famous conservative policy playbook, suggested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expand its 'surveillance' to force states to turn over data on 'exactly how many abortions take place within its borders, at what gestational age of the child, for what reason, the mother's state of residence, and by what method', as well as information on miscarriages, stillbirths, and 'treatments that incidentally result in the death of a child (such as chemotherapy)'. Project 2025 also proposes rolling back Joe Biden-era guidance that uses the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (Hipaa), the US law governing patient privacy, to narrow the circumstances under which healthcare providers can talk to law enforcement about patients who may have undergone abortions. While still a senator, JD Vance signed on to a letter condemning the guidance. Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that has spearheaded much of the rightwing attack on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, has also sued over it. In an interview with Time last year, Donald Trump signaled that he would be open to letting states monitor women's pregnancies to ascertain whether they had undergone abortions. 'I think they might do that,' he said, adding: 'The states are going to say. It's irrelevant whether I'm comfortable or not.' (He later tried to walk that statement back.) At the state level, Indiana is embroiled in a legal battle over abortion patients' records, as the state's Republican governor and a local anti-abortion group have sought to access records about the few people who have managed to recently undergo the procedure in Indiana. (The state only permits abortions in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency.) A judge ruled this week to block the records' release. If the anti-abortion group obtains the records, the judge wrote, 'it will be free to publicize those medical records further, including by posting them on the Internet, depriving patients of their privacy, which cannot be adequately remedied through money damages'. On Tuesday, Harms suggested that people had misunderstood his intentions in writing the bill. The proposed Missouri registry, he said, was not an attempt 'to go out and data-mine'. Instead, he suggested that abortion clinics could provide patients with information about the registry so they could join it on their own. 'This is a completely voluntary program as it comes to the parents of these children,' he said. The bill, Harms added, was 'inartfully drafted' and suggested that lawmakers should fine-tune the legislation. It is not clear whether the bill will move forward. But Missouri Republican state lawmakers have introduced a barrage of other abortion restrictions, including legislation to roll back a November ballot measure that added abortion rights to the state constitution. Missouri has moved to the epicenter of the national war over the procedure over the last few months. After the passage of the November ballot measure, abortion providers sued to strike down the state's near-total abortion ban and a raft of other restrictions on the procedure. Abortions finally resumed in the state this week.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans Propose Creepy Bill to Track Pregnant People
Missouri Republicans are advancing an effort that would require pregnant people to register in a statewide database. House Bill 807, called the 'Save MO Babies Act,' is intended to target people 'at risk for seeking abortion services' and to 'reduce the number of preventable abortions.' If passed, the registry would start on July 1, 2026, and would be managed by the Maternal and Child Services division of the state's Department of Social Services, according to the bill text. But the bill does not specify the scope and scale of such a registry, or exactly how 'at risk' individuals would be identified. Even the bill's author, adoption attorney Gerard Harms, admitted that the bill was 'very inartfully drafted' while making his case before the state House Children and Families Committee on Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The effort was roundly condemned by both government-wary Republicans and pro-abortion Democrats. 'ARE YOU SERIOUS!?' House Democrats wrote in a post on Facebook, according to the paper. 'We have to imagine even conservative Missourians would be horrified by this idea,' the Democrats said. In November, Missouri voters narrowly approved a ballot measure that enshrined abortion access in their state constitution. The measure, called the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, solidified that the government has no role in a person's 'fundamental right to reproductive freedom,' including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions. It also undid the Show-Me State's total abortion ban, which took effect one hour after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Still, that hasn't stopped state lawmakers from fighting for stronger abortion restrictions. Last month, Missouri Representative Eric Burlison introduced the 'Life at Conception Act' at the federal level, aiming to classify a fetus as a person under the 14th Amendment. Meanwhile, state Representative Brian Seitz introduced a bill—Joint Resolution 39—that would prevent abortion access after a fetal heartbeat is detected, allowing only narrow exceptions for medical emergencies.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri Republican proposes ‘e-Harmony for babies' database to track pregnant women ‘at risk' of seeking abortion
A Republican state lawmaker in Missouri has introduced legislation that would create a 'central registry' of pregnant people who are 'at risk for seeking an abortion,' what the bill's author called the makings of an 'e-Harmony for babies' to match with adoptive families. The legislation would also allow the state to share information from that database with law enforcement agencies, 'including those outside of this state,' the bill states. Republican state Rep. Phil Amato largely deferred questions about his 'Save MO Babies Act' during a Children and Families Committee hearing to Gerard Harms, an adoption attorney who wrote the bill. 'We're looking at something like e-Harmony for babies — mothers who want to put up their children need to match with prospective parents,' Harms told the committee Tuesday. 'That's exactly what the intent of this is. Against, inartfully drafted.' Harms said participation is voluntary and would comply with all federal health privacy laws. But skeptical state lawmakers and abortion rights advocates have raised alarms about data privacy protections and what amounts to 'government surveillance' tracking people who could seek an abortion. Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, said the legislation is a reminder of prior attempts from state officials to 'track and surveil' pregnant people in the state, including a former state health department director's admission that he tracked the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients. 'The flippant and disturbing remarks heard today about establishing 'e-Harmony for babies' encouraging prospective families to shop for children should ring alarm bells for everyone,' Schwarz said in a statement to The Independent. 'No pregnant person, no child is off the table for anti-abortion politicians to exploit in order to further their own power and control over our bodies, families, and futures,' she added. Missouri House Democrats raged against the legislation on social media Monday night. 'ARE YOU SERIOUS!?' a Facebook post from the Missouri House Democratic Caucus said. 'We have to imagine even conservative Missourians would be horrified by this idea,' the post added. The Independent has requested comment from Amato. His legislation would require the Division of Maternal and Child Resources within the state's state's Department of Social Services 'to make and maintain a central registry of each expecting mother who is at risk for seeking an abortion and a central registry of each prospective adoptive parent who has successfully completed certain screenings, background checks, home studies, and other investigations to ensure the fit of the prospective parent to adopt a child.' The division 'can share records, information, and findings with federal, state, or local child welfare agency personnel and law enforcement agencies, including those outside of this state,' according to the bill. The legislation follows a state court ruling that blocks restrictions on abortion access in the state, marking a major victory for abortion rights in the GOP-controlled state. Missouri was among several states last year where voters approved ballot measures proposing state constitutional amendments to enshrine the right to abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that overturned a constitutional right to abortion and punted abortion rights to individual states. In December, a judge ruled the state's near-total abortion ban was unenforceable under the new amendment Last week, a judge blocked 'unnecessary' and 'discriminatory' requirements for certain exams and tests that other healthcare providers do not have to perform. There were more than 3,000 abortions in Missouri in 2022, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, the last year for which data was available — marking a 62 percent decrease from 1999, which saw more than 8,000 abortions. Abortion rights advocates are bracing for Donald Trump's administration's potential maneuvers around abortion care as he fills his presidential cabinet with anti-abortion figures and a Republican-dominated Congress revives efforts to target abortion access even in states where it is legally protected. Last month, the president signed pardons for 23 anti-abortion activists who were convicted for violating a federal law that makes it a crime to block entrances to reproductive health clinics, while U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has visited with anti-abortion officials who want to target prescription abortion drugs. Trump's administration also removed reproductive healthcare information from government websites. The administration's reinstatement of the so-called 'global gag rule' and threats to foreign aid have also significantly disrupted reproductive healthcare globally. Nearly three years after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade, nearly half of U.S. states ban or severely restrict access to abortion.
The Independent
18-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Missouri Republican proposes ‘e-Harmony for babies' database to track pregnant women ‘at risk' of seeking abortion
A Republican state lawmaker in Missouri has introduced legislation that would create a 'central registry' of pregnant people who are 'at risk for seeking an abortion,' what the bill's author called the makings of an 'e-Harmony for babies' to match with adoptive families. The legislation would also allow the state to share information from that database with law enforcement agencies, 'including those outside of this state,' the bill states. Republican state Rep. Phil Amato largely deferred questions about his 'Save MO Babies Act' during a Children and Families Committee hearing to Gerard Harms, an adoption attorney who wrote the bill. 'We're looking at something like e-Harmony for babies — mothers who want to put up their children need to match with prospective parents,' Harms told the committee Tuesday. 'That's exactly what the intent of this is. Against, inartfully drafted.' Harms said participation is voluntary and would comply with all federal health privacy laws. But skeptical state lawmakers and abortion rights advocates have raised alarms about data privacy protections and what amounts to 'government surveillance' tracking people who could seek an abortion. Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, said the legislation is a reminder of prior attempts from state officials to 'track and surveil' pregnant people in the state, including a former state health department director's admission that he tracked the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients. 'The flippant and disturbing remarks heard today about establishing 'e-Harmony for babies' encouraging prospective families to shop for children should ring alarm bells for everyone,' Schwarz said in a statement to The Independent. 'No pregnant person, no child is off the table for anti-abortion politicians to exploit in order to further their own power and control over our bodies, families, and futures,' she added. Missouri House Democrats raged against the legislation on social media Monday night. 'ARE YOU SERIOUS!?' a Facebook post from the Missouri House Democratic Caucus said. 'We have to imagine even conservative Missourians would be horrified by this idea,' the post added. The Independent has requested comment from Amato. His legislation would require the Division of Maternal and Child Resources within the state's state's Department of Social Services 'to make and maintain a central registry of each expecting mother who is at risk for seeking an abortion and a central registry of each prospective adoptive parent who has successfully completed certain screenings, background checks, home studies, and other investigations to ensure the fit of the prospective parent to adopt a child.' The division 'can share records, information, and findings with federal, state, or local child welfare agency personnel and law enforcement agencies, including those outside of this state,' according to the bill. The legislation follows a state court ruling that blocks restrictions on abortion access in the state, marking a major victory for abortion rights in the GOP-controlled state. Missouri was among several states last year where voters approved ballot measures proposing state constitutional amendments to enshrine the right to abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Court 's 2022 ruling that overturned a constitutional right to abortion and punted abortion rights to individual states. In December, a judge ruled the state's near-total abortion ban was unenforceable under the new amendment Last week, a judge blocked 'unnecessary' and 'discriminatory' requirements for certain exams and tests that other healthcare providers do not have to perform. There were more than 3,000 abortions in Missouri in 2022, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, the last year for which data was available — marking a 62 percent decrease from 1999, which saw more than 8,000 abortions. Abortion rights advocates are bracing for Donald Trump 's administration's potential maneuvers around abortion care as he fills his presidential cabinet with anti-abortion figures and a Republican-dominated Congress revives efforts to target abortion access even in states where it is legally protected. Last month, the president signed pardons for 23 anti-abortion activists who were convicted for violating a federal law that makes it a crime to block entrances to reproductive health clinics, while U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has visited with anti-abortion officials who want to target prescription abortion drugs. Trump's administration also removed reproductive healthcare information from government websites. The administration's reinstatement of the so-called 'global gag rule' and threats to foreign aid have also significantly disrupted reproductive healthcare globally. Nearly three years after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade, nearly half of U.S. states ban or severely restrict access to abortion.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Missouri bill proposes registry for pregnant women to ‘reduce preventable abortions'
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KTVI) — Legislation introduced in Missouri would create a list of 'at risk' pregnant women in the state in order to 'reduce the number of preventable abortions.' House Bill 807, nicknamed the 'Save MO Babies Act,' was proposed by Republican state Rep. Phil Amato. The bill summary states that, if passed, Missouri would create a registry of every expecting mother in the state 'who is at risk for seeking an abortion' starting July 1, 2026. The list would be created through the Maternal and Child Services division of the Department of Social Services, but the measure did not specify how the 'at risk' would be identified. This registry would also incorporate hopeful adoptive parents who have completed certain screenings, including background checks, home studies and other investigations, according to the legislation. Additionally, the bill would mandate the promotion of 'the safe and healthy birth of children in the state through the utilization of existing resources; coordinate community resources and provide assistance or services to expecting mothers identified to be at risk for seeking abortion services; and prevent abortions through the adoption of children by fit and proper adoptive parents.' Leader of cultlike 'Zizian' group linked to 6 killings in multiple states ordered held without bail A response, evaluation and legal team comprised of 10 members would be appointed between the director of the Department of Social Services, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) and the state Supreme Court. According to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, there were just over 3,000 abortions in the state in 2022, a 62 percent decrease from 1999, which saw more than 8,000. HB807 was referred to the Children and Families Committee on Feb. 13. Its next hearing is on Wednesday. Lawmakers in the state are also pushing for stricter abortion laws, with a bill introduced last month that would prohibit abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected except in cases of medical emergencies. In November, Missouri voters narrowly approved a ballot measure to add the right to an abortion to their state constitution. More than a month later, a judge ruled that Missouri's near-total abortion ban, which went into effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, was unenforceable under the new constitutional amendment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
