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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Late-term abortion ban moves to Nixon's desk

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - To stop what they called "barbaric murder," Missouri Republicans approved a ban on late-term abortions Thursday.

After a final House vote, the bill is on to Governor Jay Nixon.

It would halt abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Jefferson County Republican John McCaherty was one supporter.

"We talk about landowner rights and business rights and worker rights. It's high time we talked about the rights of the child," McCaherty said.

Democrats, like St. Louis County Representative Stacey Neuman, say the decision should be left to the women in the situation.

"A woman needs to rely on the expertise of her physicians, not politicians, not the state," Neuman said.

Neuman's plea was not enough, as Republicans passed the bill 121-33.

A leading abortion-rights supporter in the Senate said these late terminations are so rare that the bill is inconsequential.

Theo Keith, Missouri Digital News

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Mo. Senate passes late-term abortion bill

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - Following a similar House vote just weeks ago, Missouri Senators passed a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks unless the fetus is determined non-viable by two physicians.

The bill would prevent women from getting a late-term abortion if a fetus is determined viable.

If a physician says the fetus is not viable, the doctor must get a second opinion of another physician before performing the abortion.

Dexter Republican Senator and bill sponsor Rob Mayer has been working for years on late-term abortion legislation.

"We were very pleased it was third read and passed out of the Senate. It makes sure, in most cases, viable children are saved from abortion," Mayer said.

Jackson County Democratic Senator Jolie Justus said lawmakers should not be involved in a woman's decision whether to carry to term a fetus that has a fatal abnormality or has already died.

"What they are doing is basically interfering with the practice of medicine by passing this bill, because this is a decision doctors should be making with their families, and we should not be interfering with that here in the legislature," Justus said.

Despite Justus's opinion, the bill passed 27 to 5 with no floor debate.

Meghann Mollerus, Missouri Digital News

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Mo . House passes late-term abortion restrictions

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - According to a bill passed by the House, women no longer would be able to get abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy without a second doctor's opinion.

Under the bill, women still would be able to get an abortion if a second doctor gives approval for the procedure.

Doctors may be fined if they perform the procedure without a second opinion.

During the debate, Republican Representative John McCaherty said it is important to remember the restrictions of the bill apply only women who are over 20 weeks pregnant.

"At five months, my goodness, if you can't make a decision in five months, then there's more of a problem there than just the will to have an abortion," McCaherty says.

Some opponents of the bill argued it may be difficult for women of rural areas to access a second doctor, especially in the event of a medical emergency.

Others, like St. Louis Democratic Representative Tishuara Jones, spoke in opposition of any government control over a woman's decision.

"Get your hands out of my belly," Jones says. "Get them out, because this bill criminalizes the doctor-patient relationship and it tells women what to do with their bodies and their children."

Despite Jones's opinion, supporters of the bill said a fetus is considered viable at 20 weeks and therefore is a child.

Meghann Mollerus, Missouri Digital News

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