Missouri abortion amendment still up in the air after one month since election day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit in hopes to start providing reproductive health services on Friday is still in legal limbo as the amendment went into effect at midnight Thursday.

All parties invested in the Jackson County circuit court judge’s decision on a lawsuit will have to wait longer.

KCTV5 continues to cover this topic as voters restored reproductive freedoms at the polling sites a month ago. Since, Planned Parenthood sued to remove restrictions like a 72-hour waiting period, physicians istering abortions, in-person visits to get abortion medication, and reporting requirements. Meanwhile, Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office argued the lawsuit was too far-reaching and restrictions should remain in place.

Planned Parenthood President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson said there’s no room for a politician to be in the examination room as she was visiting their health centers Friday.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clock ticking for judge to allow Planned Parenthood to provide abortions

What was supposed to be a day of celebration to start providing care they believe is necessary is another day of waiting as their operations in Missouri wait for the “proceed” from Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang.

“Being a fight not about healthcare. It is a fight about power and control. It’s who gets to make the decision,” said Johnson. “They are making sure they are getting it right, they’re reading law in the right way, and that providers can resume giving care to patients who need it.”

Johnson visited the Overland Park health center for the first time Friday morning, seeing firsthand how they are operating now two years after Kansas was approved to perform abortions.

“It is amazing to walk around a health center and see the dedication, commitment, and ion of the staff and the team and the very incredible care that they are providing for patients right now,” she said.

Johnson and Planned Parenthood in Missouri have plans in place right now if the judge’s decision goes their way.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge weighs whether to pause Missouri’s abortion ban before Amendment 3 goes into effect

“They will also need to build and grow staff and team and infrastructure to and ensure that their patients are getting the care that they need.”

As people who are for restrictions, some with the Coalition Life organization, peacefully protested out front of the building on West 109th Street with signs and speakers.

The court is no doubt carefully analyzing years of anti-abortion laws and multiple outright bans on abortion. We know that review takes time. Complicating the process, however, is an Attorney General’s office that has made clear it will fight tooth and nail to prevent Missourians from accessing their new constitutional right to reproductive freedom. As of today, Missourians have an unrealized constitutional right. They are entitled to access abortion under the state’s constitution, and every day they cannot get that care here at home, their rights are being violated."

KCTV5 has reached out to Bailey’s office for an updated response with the deadline ing but we are waiting to hear back at this time.

“Politicians who are fighting to take this right away after Missourians have said what they wanted is a very dangerous political game because people will continue to fight for the freedom that they deserve,” said Johnson. “We’ve seen that play out state after state including right here in Missouri. You do not get a constitutional amendment on abortion in a state like Missouri if you are not crossing party lines or drawing from both sides.”

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