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U.S. House hearing spotlights Missouri abortion regulations, controversy

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During a hearing Thursday in Washington, D.C., Congressman Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, said “Big Brother has come to Missouri” and Libertarians have suddenly become “the champions of Big Brother”. St. Louis Congressman Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, who sits on the U.S. House Oversight Committee, put together a panel to testify about “State Efforts to Undermine Access to Reproductive Health Care.”

“I am truly amazed that the Missouri Department of Health went along with efforts to shut down the (St. Louis Planned Parenthood) clinic, intimidate patients and threaten providers, and would allegedly and bizarrely track women’s menstrual periods on spreadsheets to determine if they had had an abortion,” says Clay.

The clinic falls within Clay’s district.

The Missouri Administrative Commission is considering the state’s decision in June to reject the license renewal of the St. Louis Planned Parenthood. In an October press release, Missouri Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams said he did not order state regulators to create a spreadsheet to track the menstrual cycles of Planned Parenthood patients. Williams said the workers took it upon themselves to make a spreadsheet with legally-obtained information to determine if the St. Louis clinic was accurately reporting any failed abortions.

Williams said the first time he saw the spreadsheet was during his October 17 deposition before the state commission. The statement says a rule that took effect decades ago requires providers to submit abortion reports to the state that include the last normal menstrual cycle of each patient who had an abortion at the clinic.

Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement that, regardless of the number of Planned Parenthood facilities in Missouri, every step should be taken to ensure the protection, safety, and well-being of women’s healthcare.

St. Louis Planned Parenthood Dr. Colleen McNicholas testified Thursday on Capitol Hill that the state health department is using what she calls bizarre tactics in trying to regulate her clinic—the only abortion center remaining in Missouri.

“They came to our clinic five times in the first five months of this year, all while they conceded that hospitals and surgery centers providing much riskier procedures went years without a single inspection,” she says. “During this year’s inspection process, the department also admitted to keeping a spreadsheet of my patients’ menstrual cycles. A brazen abuse of power and misuse of data motivated by an agenda to find something, anything that they could use to justify further scrutiny.”

McNicholas testified that abortions are mischaracterized for political reasons.

“It’s healthcare. So yes, unfortunate outcomes will happen for some people. But by and large, it is safer than a colonoscopy, (removing) wisdom teeth, and I will also say safer than carrying a pregnancy to term,” says McNicholas.

North Carolina Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx disagreed.

“There are many things we’ve heard that should make us shudder but comparing killing a baby to removing wisdom teeth is absolutely beyond the pale,” she says.

Jennifer Box – a St. Louis mother of three – who terminated her pregnancy after her fetus was to die in delivery or soon after—said politics had no place in her family’s pain.

“Our daughter, if not a stillborn, would be born into a life of immediate and repeated invasive medical intervention. She would essentially have been born onto life support,” said Box. “I never fathomed my governor would weaponize the Health Department in an attempt to end safe, legal abortion in Missouri. I did not anticipate that my state Legislature would enact an eight-week abortion ban – a ban that would have made it impossible for me to make the best decision for my family.”

Republican committee members did not agree, saying any abortion is immoral – and Planned Parenthood is only about abortion. Congresswoman Foxx said doctors cannot predict what happens because they are not God.

Box said the decision she and her husband made was painful.

“With broken hearts, we knew that the greatest act of love that we could undertake as her parents would be to suffer ourselves instead, to end the pregnancy, grant Libby peace and spare her tiny, broken body a short life full of pain,” says Box.

The Missouri Administrative Commission is not expected to issue a ruling on the Planned Parenthood abortion license controversy until at least February. Meanwhile, the clinic is still providing abortion services. It also offers a wide range of other reproductive health care services that the state has said is not part of this particular licensing predicament.

By Ashley Byrd and Alisa Nelson

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Gov. Parson press conference on Planned Parenthood lawsuit, license deadline is Friday (VIDEOS)

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Gov. Mike Parson says the state is not treating Planned Parenthood in St. Louis differently than any other health care facility. He says health violations and deficiences were cited by DHSS months ago.
According to DHSS, “These concerns are not limited to, but include: 1) violations of Missouri law; 2) violations of applicable Missouri regulations; 3) standard care for patient safety as evidenced by, but not limited to, at least one incident in which patient safety was gravely compromised; 4) failed surgical abortions in which patients remained pregnant; 5) concerns about quality control and communication with a contracted pathology lab; and 6) failure to obtain informed consent.”

Parson took questions from the press:

Pro-choice group experiences boost during special session about pro-life agenda

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The Missouri Legislature’s special session underway that aims to strengthen abortion clinic regulations has been a tough fight for pro-choice advocates. NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri is against the proposed changes to the state’s abortion laws. Despite the organization’s strong opposition to such policies being considered, it has benefited through additional public support, according to executive director Alison Dreith.

Alison Dreith

“It’s been great for us. People have been outraged,” says Dreith.

She did not have specifics but she says the figures are a positive trend for many progressive organizations.

Since President Donald Trump was elected and millions of people worldwide participated in marches for women earlier this year, Dreith says more people have stepped forward and offered support.

“We’ve just had an outpouring of support from people donating their money, their time, being involved more than ever,” says Dreith. “Sometimes it’s sad that it took the position that we’re in today for people to finally get so engaged, but we’re glad they are here now.”

Sam Lee with Pro-life group Campaign Life Missouri says his organization has not done fundraising that involves the current special session. He also says donations at his non-profit have remain unchanged since Trump took office.

The Missouri House has passed restrictions that require abortion clinics to meet hospital-like standards, annual inspections at such facilities and a ban on fetal tissue donations.

Another measure receiving House approval would block a St. Louis city ordinance that bars employers from penalizing or firing women who have had an abortion, use birth control or are pregnant out of marriage.

The legislation heads back to the Senate with changes. It’s unclear when the full Senate will return to consider the proposed regulations.

Two Republicans collide on latest Missouri special session

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Senator Ryan Silvey (photo courtesy, Missouri Senate Communications)

Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, could be the only Missouri GOP legislator to publicly condemn Republican Governor Eric Greitens for his special session approach. Silvey, who’s the Senate Appropriations Committee vice chairman, tells Missourinet there are more efficient ways Greitens could be calling extraordinary legislative sessions.

“He could issue multiple concurrent calls,” says Silvey. “He could issue another call on the same issue for the legislature to adjourn at the same time. If you were really a fiscal conservative, you would call a special session to run concurrent with veto session.”

Greitens wants lawmakers to block a St. Louis city ordinance that would bar employers from penalizing or firing women who have had an abortion, are pregnant out of marriage or use birth control. It also prohibits landlords from denying housing to women for the same reasons. Greitens’ call also includes passing annual inspection requirements for abortion clinics.

Silvey says the session is a waste of time and money.

“While the political rhetoric and the soundbites are that this is saving lives and this is pro-life, I think the reality is whatever we pass, we’ll probably get sued over, a judge will probably put an injunction on it, and it probably won’t be resolved by January. When January rolls around, my prediction is we won’t have saved any lives,” says Silvey.

Gov. Greitens

He says he’s not attacking abortion measures.

“I’ve got a 13 year legislative record that shows I’m pro-life. That’s not a question,” says Silvey. “But I also think that we should respect our constitution and I don’t believe that we should be called back on every whim.”

Greitens tells Missourinet he hopes the state legislature understands how vital and urgent his call is. He goes on to say that the life and health of thousands of Missourians is at stake.

The Senate’s special session work is underway. The House will begin on June 20.

Meanwhile, the governor signed a bill into law on Monday that gives Missourians the option of a REAL ID to get onto planes, military bases and into federal buildings. Silvey, who co-sponsored the measure, says he was not invited to the bill signing. The House sponsor, Rep. Kevin Corlew, R-Kansas City, attended.

Silvey says the governor has not communicated directly with the legislature very well. According to Silvey, leadership and the Senate learned about this year’s first special session via Facebook. Silvey says he and leadership also learned about the current special session on Facebook.

Greitens: Blocking St. Louis anti-discrimination ordinance is not supporting discrimination

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Republican Governor Eric Greitens has called a special session to ask lawmakers to consider blocking a St. Louis ordinance that bans employers from penalizing or firing women who have had an abortion, are pregnant out of marriage or use contraceptives. Pro-choice advocates say not supporting the ordinance is like supporting discrimination. Greitens tells Missourinet that he disagrees.

Gov. Greitens

Greitens says his call aims to protect pregnancy care centers, which he says help women and their newborn kids receive quality clothing, food and access to free prenatal care, with employment and their utility bills. He says the ordinance makes it more difficult for the centers to operate.

“They (ordinance supporters) wanted, for example, to make it illegal for pregnancy care centers to say that they just wanted to hire pro-life people,” says Greitens.

Critics say the governor is wasting valuable tax dollars by calling a special session to get his own agenda items passed. Greitens says abortion issues he wants the Missouri Legislature to pass rise to the level of a special session because of a recent federal court ruling that struck down abortion clinic regulations. He says he wants common sense health and safety standards at such clinics.

In April, U.S. District Court Judge Howard Sachs blocked laws that require doctors performing abortions to have hospital privileges and that make abortion clinics meet hospital-like standards for surgical centers.

Greitens wants lawmakers to require annual clinic inspections and a fix that Greitens says would stop abortion providers from interfering with emergency responses when women are experiencing abortion complications.

“They can’t, for example, tell an ambulance that they need to go the slow way without using lights and sirens. They can’t tell an ambulance that they need to come to the back door when they’ve got somebody who is clearly in need,” says Greitens.

M’Evie Mead of Planned Parenthood says Greitens is playing politics.

“What I think Governor Greitens appears to be doing is making up solutions in search of a problem that doesn’t exist,” says Mead.

The governor also wants to require providers to report complications that women have from abortions.

“Court after court, informed by major medical associations who are responsible for doctors and nurses and healthcare providers maximizing people’s health across this country and in this state, have repeatedly proven that these politically-motivated restrictions that interfere with access to abortion and healthcare are dangerous to women’s health,” says Mead. “That’s what people need to know. At the center of this issue that’s being very politicized are people and their health outcome.”

In campaign-style fashion, Greitens will hold pro-life rallies on Friday in the Republican strongholds of Joplin, Springfield and St. Charles before Monday’s start of the special session. A high profile name will be alongside him at the Joplin and Springfield rallies. Former Arkansas Governor and Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will be there to support Greitens’ cause.

Friday rally details:
University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield at 11:30 a.m.
Butcher’s Block Event Center in Joplin at 2 p.m.
Heart Event Center in St. Charles at 6 p.m.

Gov. Nixon vetoes ‘extreme and disrespectful’ bill to lengthen abortion waits

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Governor Jay Nixon (D) has vetoed legislation that would have tripled the waiting period for an abortion in Missouri.

Nixon called the legislation “extreme and disrespectful” for not including an exemption for women that have been the victim of rape or incest.

In a statement, Nixon said the bill “demonstrates a callous disregard for women who find themselves in horrific circumstances and would make Missouri just one of two states in the nation to take such an extreme step.

He adds, “Lengthening the already extensive waiting period serves no demonstrable purpose other than to create emotional and financial hardships for women who have undoubtedly already spent considerable time wrestling with perhaps the most difficult decision they may ever have to make.”

The Senate sponsor of the legislation, David Sater (R-Cassville), says he is disappointed with the veto.

Sater issued a statement saying abortion, “is an irreversible and permanent decision, and taking the time to think about the consequences is not unreasonable or a burden.

Sater says the law would not change the availability for victims of rape of medical treatment of contraception.

The legislation passed the House and Senate with majorities that would be great enough to overturn the Governor’s veto. Sater says, “I am confident my colleagues will again vote in (the September veto session) in support of life.”

Planned Parenthood issued a release praising Nixon’s action. Paula Gianino, President and CEO of the organization’s political arm in St. Louis, said, “Governor Nixon knows this bill would not help women. It would block access to safe, legal abortion and makes it more difficult for women to get the care they need.” The veto is also supported by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Nixon hints at veto of bill to triple abortion waiting period

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Governor Jay Nixon (D) has offered a statement on the bill that would increase the waiting period for abortions in Missouri from one day to three.

Nixon writes, “House Bill 1307 will get the same comprehensive review given to all bills that reach my desk. However, it is clear that by failing to include an exception for rape and incest, this extreme proposal would separate Missouri from all but one other state in the nation. I have profound concerns about its impact on women and especially the victims of these heinous crimes.”

Nixon has let previous legislation placing restrictions on abortion become law without taking action on them.

The House voted Wednesday night to complete legislative passage of that bill to the governor.

Bill to triple abortion waiting period sent to Gov. Nixon

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Missouri could become the third state in the nation to require a 72-hour wait for a woman wanting to have an abortion, under legislation that has been sent to Governor Jay Nixon (D). The bill, HB 1307, would triple the current 24-hour waiting period in Missouri.

The House voted 111-39 for the proposal, a strong enough vote to override a veto, but the Senate vote fell one short of the two-thirds majority.

Nixon has not said whether he would support the 72-hour waiting period, saying only that he has been consistent on such issues. In the past he has let other bills placing restrictions on abortion become law without his signature.

Proponents say the legislation isn’t about whether or not a woman should be allowed to have an abortion, but whether she gets all the information available and has time to consider that information.

“Lets get off the issue of whether there’s going to be an abortion or not,” argues Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane). “What we’re trying to do is get information to these women, we’re trying to give them healthy choices and we’re trying to lessen the suicide rate of women that are in turmoil.”

Representative Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) argues 72-hours is not too long to wait before having a serious procedure.

“There is no more serious medical procedure than this,” says Barnes. “The last time we debated this bill we heard somebody get up and talk about how it took 6-months for her husband to decide whether he would get a knee surgery. A knee surgery, Mr. Speaker, and we’re talking about the ending of a human life.”

Opponents say the legislation is an attack on women’s ability to have an abortion led primarily by Republicans.

“The idea that a woman would not have taken this time already to take the time and have discussions with her doctor is insulting,” argues Representative Genise Montecillo (D-St. Louis). “You give them 72-this year … you’re going to be back for another day or two next year.”

The passage of the measure in the Senate came on a deal that saw that chamber’s Democrats end a filibuster of the bill in exchange for Republicans agreeing not to bring up bills on so-called “paycheck protection” and photo-ID.

Amendment would keep state from paying for inmate abortions

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A House Democrat has filed an amendment to the state budget that would bar the use of Department of Corrections funds for abortion, cloning or stem cell research.

Representative Keith English (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Keith English (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Keith English’s (D-Florrisant) proposal would add to the budget bill for the Department of Corrections language that would prevent the use of funds from that bill for any “intentional life-ending medical procedure including, but not limited to, abortion, cloning or stem cell research.” It would also require that funds in that budget bill be subject to the same statutory provisions and definitions that govern funds going to the Life Sciences Research Board.

English, a self-described pro-life Democrat, says he doesn’t want taxpayers paying for abortions for inmates in Missouri’s prison system.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis declared unconstitutional in 2008 a Corrections Department’s policy that prohibited transportation of inmates to clinics for abortions that are not medically necessary. English says his amendment would also prevent such transportation to be funded.

He wants the money that would be used for inmate abortions go to sheltered workshops.

The House is anticipated to begin debate if the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2015 Tuesday. Amendments such as that filed by English may or may not be offered during that debate.

The budget bill for Corrections is HB 2009.

House approves two abortion bills

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The state House has sent to the Senate two bills that would change the laws governing abortion in Missouri.

One would triple the waiting period before a woman can have an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. In emotional and at times heated discussion, several House Democrats said the legislation would only make a woman wait longer to undergo a procedure she has already decided to have. Republicans argue that three days is not too long to ask a woman to wait to consider the procedure.

Sponsor Kevin Elmer (R-Nixa) says he and other supporters are acting on the belief that life begins at conception.

“It’s something that we feel very strongly about, just as those who believe that it happens at some other time feel very strongly about their side,” says Elmer.

The other bill would require the notification of both custodial parents or the guardian of a minor when that minor is seeking an abortion. Opponents like Representative Genise Montecillo (D-St. Louis) say that bill doesn’t fit for all families.

“What if that other parents … they’re not in that child’s life?” asks Montecillo. “Maybe they can’t get in contact with that person. What happens if they can’t reach … that parent has not been a part of their life for some time?”

Opponents argue the bill could create delays that would be harmful to the minor and could force a child to make contact with an abusive parent.

Backers say the bill will help minors get guidance and make good decisions.

Debate of the bills came hours after abortion opponents held a rally under the Capitol Dome.