Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region Archives

Annual marchers protest outside Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis

March 9, 2020 By Missourinet Contributor

Reported by Jill Enders, St. Louis

Hundreds of anti-abortion demonstrators from around the country were in St. Louis over the weekend for the 3rd annual March on the Arch.

On Saturday, activists gathered outside of Missouri’s last remaining abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood in the Central West End. Brian Westbrook, the executive director for the Coalition for Life, St. Louis, says the purpose of this demonstration is to call for an end to abortion.

“We keep praying. We keep fasting and we come and set alternatives to the women who are considering abortion and by doing that and by offering help and assistance, these women who are left on the sidelines, that’s how we’re going to end abortion. It’s about helping and loving.” Westbrook said.

Rep. Coleman

Representative Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, was among the guest speakers during the rally that was held prior to the annual march to the Gateway Arch.

“Women deserve better and you know it and I know it. And we know that though you are small, you are strong, and God’s timing is not our timing.” Coleman said.

Planned Parenthood clinic officials were not available to the press on site for comment.

The Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission is expected to decide March 16 whether Planned Parenthood of St. Louis can keep its license. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services wants to revoke its license, citing concerns of failed abortions.

Missouri Supreme Court to hear arguments Tuesday in key Planned Parenthood case

December 9, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday morning in Jefferson City in a key case involving the state’s legal dispute with Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region.

The complicated legal case began when the Legislature appropriated money for fiscal year 2019, which prohibited expenditure of funds to any abortion facility. The sentence specifically reads “no funds shall be expended to any abortion facility as defined in Section 188.015, or any affiliate or associate thereof.”

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), through its Missouri Medicaid Audit and Compliance Unit, denied funding requests from Planned Parenthood, which appealed to the administrative hearing commission (AHC). The AHC ruled in the state’s favor.

However, St. Louis Circuit Judge David Dowd ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, saying portions of the appropriations bill violated the state Constitution.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R) and Solicitor General D. John Sauer have submitted a 32-page brief to the Missouri Supreme Court, outlining their case. Schmitt and Counselor Sauer say the trial court erred, and that the bill does not violate the single subject provision. They also say the trial court erred in taxing costs against the state of Missouri.

Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region is being represented by Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, who’s submitted a 42-page brief to the Supreme Court.

Counselor Hatfield writes that Judge Dowd’s ruling should be affirmed. He says the appropriations bill violates the state Constitution, and says the Attorney General’s office is quoting opinions that “are neither binding nor persuasive.” Hatfield also says existing state law required the state to pay Planned Parenthood for physician and family planning services it provides to Missouri Medicaid beneficiaries.

The Supreme Court will hear the arguments Tuesday morning at 9:30 in Jefferson City. Missourinet managing editor Alisa Nelson will be covering the case.