In a significant development for reproductive health access in Missouri, Planned Parenthood clinics in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia have resumed providing surgical abortion services.
This move comes after significant legal challenges and restrictions imposed by the state, including the blocking of medication abortion options in Missouri.
Despite these setbacks, Planned Parenthood is determined to continue providing essential services to those in need.
Resumption of Surgical Abortions
Last week, the St. Louis Planned Parenthood clinic performed its first surgical abortion since 2022. The Kansas City and Columbia locations also began offering surgical abortion services, bringing relief to those in Missouri who need access to reproductive health care.
However, medication abortions, which are considered a less invasive and private option, remain blocked in Missouri due to state-imposed restrictions.
This has forced many residents who seek medication abortion to cross state lines to obtain the procedure, creating additional barriers for individuals seeking reproductive care.
| Location | Services Resumed | Current Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Planned Parenthood | Surgical abortions resumed | Medication abortion blocked |
| Kansas City Planned Parenthood | Surgical abortions resumed | Medication abortion blocked |
| Columbia Planned Parenthood | Surgical abortions resumed | Medication abortion blocked |
Legal and Political Context
The ongoing legal battle surrounding abortion services in Missouri intensified after the passage of Amendment 2 in November 2022, which enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution.
However, on the same day, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) took action to block access to medication abortions, further complicating access to reproductive health services.
Planned Parenthood has been actively fighting against the restrictions, with legal victories on some fronts. For instance, a judge recently struck down the licensing requirements for abortion facilities in Missouri, providing some relief. However, the DHSS continues to introduce new rules to impede the provision of reproductive health care.
In February 2023, Planned Parenthood submitted paperwork to provide medication abortions again, but the state failed to respond in a timely manner. On March 13, the DHSS introduced a new emergency rule to further restrict abortion services, and by the end of the month, Planned Parenthood’s applications were rejected.
Margot Riphagen, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, responded in a statement, saying, “When state officials move the goalposts on us time and time again, their intentions become clear: they will stop at nothing to block Missourians’ access to critical reproductive health care, even when the voters enshrine that right into the Constitution.”
Ongoing Challenges for Abortion Access
Despite the voter support for abortion rights, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers are facing a long battle ahead.
The Missouri Department of Health continues to delay and block efforts to provide medication abortions, and Planned Parenthood is determined to fight these actions in court.
While the surgical abortion services resumption is a step forward, it is still a complicated landscape for individuals seeking reproductive health care in the state.
The uncertainty surrounding medication abortion and ongoing legal challenges underscore the need for continued advocacy and legal support.
The resumption of surgical abortion services by Planned Parenthood in Missouri marks an important moment in the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights in the state.
Despite legal setbacks and blocked access to medication abortion, Planned Parenthood remains committed to providing essential health care services.
As the legal battle continues, it is clear that access to abortion will remain a highly contested issue in Missouri, with Planned Parenthood and other organizations at the forefront of this fight for reproductive justice.