Planned Parenthood files lawsuit to restore abortion access in Missouri next month
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Amendment 3 passed in Missouri and now abortion activists are putting it to the test.
Amendment 3, which restores Missouri's near total abortion ban passed on Tuesday night with 52% of the vote.
The amendment was one which became controversial in Missouri, after being put on the ballot just hours before the deadline certification. Missouri's Planned Parenthood providers filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, following the passage of the amendment to begin restoring abortion access to Missourians.
The lawsuit asks requests the amendment take effect Thursday, Dec. 5.
According to a press release, the lawsuit was filed by the Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers represented by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the ACLU of Missouri, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
The lawsuit asks for a preliminary injunction that blocks the enforcement of the following restrictions:
- The first total abortion ban triggered by the Dobbs decision;
- Cascading gestational age bans;
- Bans that stigmatize and limit abortion care based on a patient’s reason for having an abortion;
- Hospital admitting privileges requirements;
- Biased and medically inaccurate counseling requirements;
- Forced delay periods that require patients to make multiple trips to a clinic for care;
- A ban on the delivery of medication abortion by telemedicine;
- A physician-only law that prevents qualified medical professionals from providing abortion care; and
- Criminal penalties for abortion providers
Planned Parenthood, along with the ACLU held a press conference Wednesday afternoon outlining the lawsuit.
According to Senior Staff attorney of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Ella Spottswood, the lawsuit asks that the court set a schedule that allows planned parenthood to start providing surgical and medical abortions on Dec. 5.
Spottswood said the organization is ready to move forward with the hearing as quickly as the court allows.
The Columbia Planned Parenthood, Central Western Health Center in Saint Louis and the Midtown Kansas City location are all seeking to begin services on Dec. 5.
Check back for updates.
