Planned Parenthood reacts to new Mo. abortion law

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - Planned Parenthood officials in St. Louis say they’re disappointed with the governor’s decision to allow a bill on late-term abortion to become law.

The legislation, sponsored by Republican lawmakers, prohibits doctors from performing abortions after a fetus is 20 weeks unless the mother’s health is at serious risk.

Paula Gianino is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. She says the law will affect women whose pregnancies are in crisis.

“These are wanted pregnancies that have gone wrong, and women deserve to know that their physicians can act fully and freely within the law without any confusion, without any hesitancy,” Gianino said.

Gianino says lawmakers should have focused on prevention and family planning instead of further restricting abortion.

Governor Nixon is allowing the bill to become law without his signature.

The sponsor of the House version, GOP Floor Leader Tim Jones, is happy the bill is becoming law but he says he's disappointed the governor didn't actually sign it.

He added that if he were a Democrat, he would be angered that Nixon, "chose not to take a side."

Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio

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