Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri canceled abortion appointments after the state’s Supreme Court reinstated an abortion ban on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling abruptly reversed a temporary restoration of abortion rights in the state that followed voters’ decision to enshrine them into the constitution last year.
Reproductive rights remain a critical legal and political issue across the country after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that guaranteed abortion rights in each state, in 2022. Missouri, like other Republican-led states, banned most abortions following the ruling, but voters backed an amendment to legalize the procedure last November.
What To Know
The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that District Court Judge Jerri Zhang used the wrong standard in December and February rulings that allowed abortions to resume in the state, the Associated Press reported. The court ordered her to reevaluate the case using new standards, including whether there would be harm if abortions were able to continue.
This resulted in abortion care appointments being canceled at clinics in Columbia and Kansas City, Emily Wales, the CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, told Newsweek.
She said Wednesday that patients were not being seen on Tuesday, so no one had to stop care, but that they did have to call patients who were set to receive abortion care in the coming days. Planned Parenthood is working to help them see providers in Illinois or Kansas, where abortion remains legal.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been really skilled at having those conversations in Missouri. Even before the Dobbs decision, care was intermittent because of political interference for years,” she said.
However, going out of state is not always doable for residents who are unable to secure child care or take time off work, she said, adding that unless care is local, it is “not accessible to everyone.” She said Planned Parenthood has already filed a letter seeking a new injunction.
Zhang earlier ordered an injunction blocking some regulations on abortion she found to be “unnecessary” and “discriminatory” against abortion providers, The Missouri Independent reported.
The constitutional amendment narrowly passed Missouri voters last November by about 3 percentage points, even as President Donald Trump carried the state by 18 points. Planned Parenthood soon after sued over other laws it believed were restricting abortion access in the state.
The ruling was celebrated by conservatives who do not support abortion.
Sam Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri, told the Associated Press that he was “extremely excited” about the ruling.
“This means that our pro-life laws, which include many health and safety protections for women, will remain in place,” he said.
What People Are Saying
Emily Wales, the CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, told Newsweek: “It is easy to be frustrated and to feel like your voices are unheard by the legislature and politicians in the state right now. People in Missouri were able to vote on abortion access. We demanded that they have a right to get private medical care without government interference, yet here we are.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, wrote in a statement: “Today’s decision from the Missouri Supreme Court is a win for women and children and sends a clear message – abortion providers must comply with state law regarding basic safety and sanitation requirements.”
What Happens Next
Zhang will now review the case under the more rigorous standard mandated by the Missouri Supreme Court. Earlier this year, Missouri lawmakers passed a 2026 referendum that would give voters the chance to repeal the amendment passed by voters last year.
The post Abortion Appointments Suddenly Canceled After Missouri Court Ruling appeared first on Newsweek.
