Abortion-rights advocates are seeking to overturn Missouri’s near-total ban on abortion, following the approval of an amendment in November that added the right to an abortion to the state constitution. Planned Parenthood and the state’s Attorney General’s Office are set to argue in court over whether to block enforcement of the state’s abortion laws. Critics of the ban argue that it would be catastrophic for Missourians by preventing or delaying access to care.
Missouri is one of five states where voters approved measures to protect abortion rights this year. The state’s new constitutional amendment does not specifically overturn existing laws, leaving it to advocates to challenge bans they believe are now unconstitutional. Attorney General Andrew Bailey, an abortion opponent, has issued an opinion stating that most abortions will remain legal under the new amendment, but is still fighting for restrictions after viability.
Other laws being defended by Bailey include a 72-hour waiting period and bans on selective abortions. Planned Parenthood argues that these regulations have made it nearly impossible to provide abortions in the state. The court is yet to rule on the request for a preliminary injunction.
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