Planned Parenthood Affiliates in Missouri Win Protections Against Medically Unnecessary Abortion Restrictions

Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) and Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region (PPSLR) celebrate today’s federal court opinion, which blocks medically unnecessary restrictions against abortion providers in Missouri. Judge Howard Sachs’ opinion means that PPGP and PPSLR will be able to expand abortion access to four additional health centers across the state of Missouri while both organizations fight to permanently overturn these ideologically motivated restrictions.

In Judge Sachs’ opinion, he writes:

“...relief should be prompt, given the needs of women seeking abortions and the need for available clinics to serve their needs.”

Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO, Laura A. McQuade and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region President and CEO, Mary M. Kogut said:

“Today’s victory means countless Missourians will have expanded access to safe, legal abortion. It is also the resounding affirmation we’ve long awaited – that medically unnecessary restrictions like admitting privileges and ambulatory surgical center requirements are state-mandated laws thought up by extremists in Jefferson City. We will continue to fight these restrictions until they are permanently blocked in the state of Missouri.”

In June, the United States Supreme Court clearly ruled in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt that the same medically unnecessary restrictions in Texas created an undue burden, which violated the constitutional rights of a patient seeking safe and legal abortion.

“Together, we are excited to end Missouri’s shameful one-provider status, and soon be offering four more locations where women can access safe, legal abortion without facing geographical obstacles. We are proud to say this is a step forward in ensuring abortion is more than a right in name only,” McQuade and Kogut said.

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