COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Abortion services are set to resume in Missouri following a significant ruling by a judge that has blocked certain regulations restricting abortion providers. This decision comes after voters passed an amendment in November 2024 enshrining abortion rights in the state's constitution.
The latest ruling was delivered by Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang, who pointed out that Missouri's licensing requirements were discriminatory. These regulations required abortion facilities to adhere to strict standards that were not imposed on other types of healthcare facilities, including those providing miscarriage care. Planned Parenthood argued that these licensing laws mandated "medically unnecessary and invasive" pelvic exams for all patients, even those seeking medication abortions. Additionally, the regulations included size requirements for hallways and rooms that many health centers could not meet.
Despite a previous ruling last year by a Kansas City judge that stated abortions were legal in the state, certain regulations remained in place while a lawsuit from abortion-rights advocates was pending. This left abortion providers in a challenging position, as they were still bound by laws that had been criticized for being excessively restrictive. Planned Parenthood and other advocates quickly initiated legal action against Missouri's near-total abortion ban once the constitutional amendment passed.
Following Zhang's Friday ruling, which serves as a temporary order pending further legal outcomes, Margot Riphagen, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, expressed optimism. She stated that the organization is preparing to resume abortion services in the coming days, emphasizing the ruling's affirmation that the state’s regulatory requirements were not genuinely focused on patient safety but were instead politically motivated barriers to care.
Missouri is one of five states where voters approved measures in 2024 to protect abortion rights constitutionally. Although Nevada voters also approved a related amendment, it will require a second approval in 2026 for enforcement. The constitutional amendment in Missouri allows for legislative restrictions on abortion post-viability but provides exceptions for protecting the life or health of the pregnant individual. The term "viability" generally refers to a period after the 21st week of pregnancy when a fetus may survive outside the womb, though specific timelines can vary among healthcare providers.
In a broader context, Missouri was among the first states to implement a restriction on most abortions following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in June 2022, which overturned the long-standing Roe v. Wade ruling that established a nationwide right to abortion. With the recent changes, advocates believe that access to abortion care will improve for Missourians and residents of the Midwest, marking a transformative moment in reproductive healthcare.
Mallory Schwarz, the executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, commented on the impending improvements in access to care, indicating that clinic partners are poised to start providing abortions as soon as next week. She noted that this legal shift significantly enhances the landscape for abortion services in the region.
