Supreme Court delays abortions ruling in Missouri once again
The Supreme Court move was celebrated by Missouri conservatives and criticized by Planned Parenthood for previous unban.
The Missouri Supreme Court ordered to halt abortions again in the state. The state's top court ruled about a wrong standard application in rulings by a district judge. Last Tuesday, the court ordered Jackson County judge Jerri Zhang to vacate her previous orders and reevaluate the case.
Zhang's decision was made last December and February, when she declared the restitution of the procedure in the state. This is not the first time this has happened, due to the overturning of the Roe v. Wade case in 2022, when nearly all abortions were halted. According to the state, Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization, did not provide the patients with enough safety measures and information.
Planned Parenthood declarations
Planned Parenthood has two affiliates serving Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers. The organization sued the state to overturn the 2022 ban, including additional restrictions that make it more difficult to minors' access to abortions. When Zhang ruled the ban, PP services resumed limited care, offering procedural abortions up to 13 weeks.
Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, told the Associated Press that the clinics, the only abortion centers in the state, have to cancel all their abortion appointments in Columbia and Kansas City. "To be in that position again, after the people of Missouri voted to ensure abortion access, is frustrating," the CEO finally said.
Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization, held the only abortions center on the state and criticized this new move. Photo: Planned Parenthood.
Conservatives celebrated the prohibition
Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey published a statement saying that the "decision of 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."
Samuel Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri, expressed his support on his X (formerly Twitter) account. "Great news! Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang has issued an order vacating her previous rulings allowing abortions to be performed in Missouri," he posted. Lee also thanked Bailey for this new measure.
