Statement from M'Evie Mead and Dr. Leana Wen in response to Gov. Parson

Statement from M’Evie Mead, Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Missouri:

“The state of health care in Missouri is abysmal. Gov. Parson is willfully aiding in the systematic downturn of health outcomes across our state, and banning safe, legal abortion is just the latest effort. Parson is willfully ignoring the syphilis outbreak and the rising maternal mortality rate happening on his watch. Shame on him for suggesting the government should have a say in when and whether someone becomes a parent. Missourians will respond — we will mobilize and raise our voices until politicians start listening. We will respond — in our communities and at the ballot box. This attack on health care and freedom will not go unanswered.”

Statement of Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“Missouri Gov. Parson should be ashamed of riding the disgraceful coattails of 25 white men in Alabama who just voted to ban safe, legal abortion. Following in their footsteps and those of politicians in Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi will be disastrous for the patients Planned Parenthood serves and for women all across the country. Women: it’s time to rise up. Politicians have no place in our health care decisions. Every vote to ban abortion is a vote against us. We are counting and we will hold you accountable.

“It is no coincidence Missouri politicians are moving to ban abortion care within hours of Alabama’s disastrous vote and days after Georgia enacted its own extreme ban. This is a deliberate attempt to bring a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, and to end the right to access safe, legal abortion in this country.”

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Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri works to protect and expand sexual and reproductive rights and health for all Missourians. It is a joint project of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes and Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, the political and advocacy arms of both Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.