Missouri Voters Stripped Unborn Children of Protections, Judge Blocks Multitude of Other Restrictions Protecting Babies and Moms
By Anne Reed
After the pro-abortion ballot Initiative passed on November 5 with a narrow majority (52%) of the vote, the right to abortion in Missouri is now enshrined up to “viability.” Though no clear definition of the term was provided, it nullified any law protecting unborn children at an earlier stage of development.
That nullification was set to take effect 30 days from the November 5 vote, but it was delayed until Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang ruled on a consequential case brought against the state of Missouri by Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Missouri.
On Friday, December 20, that delay came to an end when Zhang’s ruling affected several other laws restricting abortion. She entered a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of restrictions protecting babies and mothers.
Of course, the statute protecting children from the moment of conception – a trigger law that went into effect with the overturn of Roe v. Wade – is nullified by the constitutional amendment enshrining “a right” to abortion before viability.
“We are grieving for unborn babies in Missouri as the number of abortion-free states will soon be reduced from the 14 states reflected in our 2024 annual survey to 13 states. At the time of year when the world celebrates the birth of a baby who brought hope and salvation, clinics in Missouri will likely resume the evil practice of destroying babies’ lives,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
The following abortion restrictions were considered by the county judge. Many were blocked, but a small few remain in place:
Blocked:
1. Abortions can only be performed when necessary for the health and safety of the mother.
2. Abortions cannot be performed based on a diagnosis of Down Syndrome.
3. Abortionists must have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
4. Abortion facilities must have a plan in place to address abortion complications.
5. The remains of aborted babies must be sent to a pathologist after an abortion to ensure that no remains are left inside the mother.
6. Mothers must receive information relating to the stage of the baby’s development prior to an abortion.
7. Mothers must wait 72 hours between the first appointment and the abortion.
8. The abortion pill must be taken in the presence of the abortionist who prescribed it.
9. The mother must be given a follow-up visit after the abortion pill is taken.
Pro-Life Protections Remain in Place as is:
1. Abortionist must meet in person with the abortion patient prior to administering abortion pills. (This is different from the requirement that the pills must be taken in front of the abortionist in item 8 above.)
2. Abortion clinics must be licensed.
3. Only physicians can perform abortions.
Every one of these pro-life restrictions were efforts to protect innocent, unborn children. And many of the protections that were blocked apply to the safety of the mothers.
“Operation Rescue has worked hard for years to save babies and protect moms in the state of Missouri,” said Newman. “This is heart wrenching and exactly why we have worked so hard to warn voters of the dangers of passing a constitutional amendment put forward by radical pro-aborts! I’m sure that many people were fooled by their talking points and would not have voted for the amendment if they had known the consequences. God have mercy on Missouri.”
