Planned Parenthood Reacts to Economic Impact Report of Missouri’s Omnibus Abortion Ban

ST. LOUIS - Today, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (RHS), the state’s last remaining health center licensed to provide abortion, released the following statement in regards to NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Foundation and St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones’ economic impact report of Missouri’s omnibus abortion ban, passed in 2019. The law is partially blocked and remains in litigation. 

Statement from Yamelsie Rodríguez, President and CEO, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri:

“Today’s report confirms what we’ve long known: abortion bans are most harmful to the same people who have kept our economy going amidst a global pandemic. These bans fall hardest on women, people of color, parents, and people with low incomes. St. Louis is a reproductive health care home for people across the entire state. We are the last remaining abortion clinic for more than a million Missourians of reproductive age. 

“The reality is, Missouri politicians continue to pile on attacks against our rights and freedoms while ignoring the consequences to Missourians statewide. This report is a snapshot of a dire future for communities across the state who lack abortion access. With the privilege of being the only center providing abortion in Missouri comes a responsibility to fight for every patient who deserves reproductive freedom. We remain committed with our partners and champions to protect abortion access, which is key to our ability to achieve our full potential as individuals and as a collective community.”