Missouri judge moves to temporarily block ‘discriminatory’ abortion restrictions
A Missouri Circuit Court judge moved to temporarily block the state’s “discriminatory” abortion restriction, striking down a licensing requirement for clinics providing the procedure.
Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang blocked the licensing requirement Friday evening, which abortion advocates and providers argued was a crucial step in permitting procedures in the state.
Zhang, in a three-page ruling, wrote that the “facility licensing requirement is facially discriminatory because it does not treat services provided in abortion facilities the same as other types of similarly situated health care, including miscarriage care.”
Last year's ruling temporarily lifted the state's abortion ban, but some restrictions were kept, including having abortion facilities license with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Planned Parenthood and others argued that this requirement made physicians perform "medically unnecessary" exams to those seeking an abortion, a step Zhang also deemed “unnecessary.”
“The regulations mandate physicians to perform certain exams and testing that are unnecessary when the physicians themselves are authorized and enabled to make the determination on what is and is not necessary for their individual patients,” Zhang wrote in the ruling.
Following Friday's ruling, Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains CEO Emily Wales said that abortion care will be restored “immediately” and said the judge’s decision is a victory “for all Missourians: for the voters who demanded their rights, for the medical providers we trust to provide care, and most importantly, for patients who will now be able to receive high-quality care without fear.”
After the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Missouri was the first state to implement a near-total abortion ban. The state’s voters approved a measure in November last year that did not repeal the current ban, but amended the state constitution. It allowed abortion advocates to file lawsuits and argue the current laws do not align with the new amendment.
Those in support of the state’s abortion ban said the fight is still ongoing.
“We will not stop fighting to protect both women and unborn children from reckless, profit-driven practices,” Missouri Stands with Women spokesperson Stephanie Bell said in a Friday statement. “No woman should suffer, and no innocent life should be taken, in the name of an industry that refuses to be held accountable.”
The judge's Friday ruling is a temporary order pending the outcome of the lawsuit by abortion-rights advocates, who sued to overturn the ban shortly after the November amendment passed.
The Hill has reached out to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office for comment.
-
Abortions to resume in Missouri after a judge blocks restrictions
Abortions are set to resume in Missouri after a judge blocked regulations that had restricted providers even after voters approved enshrining abortion rights into the state’s constitutionABC News - 20h -
Abortions to resume in Missouri after judge blocks restrictions
Abortions are set to resume in Missouri after a judge blocked regulations that had restricted providers even after voters approved enshrining abortion rights into the state’s constitution.NBC News - 18h -
Federal judge temporarily blocks order restricting trans care for youths
A federal judge temporarily blocked an executive order signed by President Trump last month that sought to restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for those younger than 19.NBC News - 2d -
Judge blocks Trump order restricting access to gender-affirming care for now
President Trump's executive action sought to restrict access to gender-affirming care for people under the age of 19.CBS News - 2d -
Judge temporarily blocks Trump's federal government employee buyout
Just hours before the deadline for federal employees to accept the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer, a judge has temporarily blocked the buyout offer.ABC News - Feb. 6 -
Judge temporarily blocks Trump's federal employee buyout program
A federal judge in Boston has temporarily halted President Trump's federal employee buyout program proposal. NBC News' Aaron Gilchrist and Danny Cevallos reports on legal aspects surrounding the ...NBC News - Feb. 7 -
Judge temporarily blocks Musk’s ‘Doge’ team from accessing treasury records
Injunction granted in response to lawsuit alleging the Trump administration allowed Musk’s team access to sensitive data in violation of federal law. A federal judge early on Saturday blocked Elon ...The Guardian - Feb. 8 -
Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Cuts to Medical Research Funding
A coalition of 22 attorneys general sued the federal government, claiming that the $4 billion in cuts would “grind to a halt” studies on cancer, heart disease and other conditions.The New York Times - 4d -
Judge temporarily blocks termination of USAID contracts in place before Trump inauguration
A federal judge Wednesday ordered the government to temporarily cease efforts to terminate foreign aid contracts and grants in place prior to President Trump’s inauguration amid a fight over the ...The Hill - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Democrats nervously wait on Trump response to court rulings
House Democrats howling over the flood of unilateral actions streaming from the White House are voicing confidence that the courts will provide a check on potential abuses of power. They’re less ...The Hill - 33m -
Trump administration ousts over 400 DHS employees in ongoing workforce purge
The Trump administration ousted 405 employees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in an ongoing workforce purge that has affected other federal agencies and departments. The majority of ...The Hill - 47m -
Trump doubles down on reciprocal tariffs, vowing a 'level playing field'
President Trump defended his presidential memorandum proposing reciprocal tariffs in a Truth Social post Saturday, saying the move will ensure a "level playing field for American workers." Trump ...The Hill - 49m -
Sunday shows preview: Trump's Russia-Ukraine moves rattle allies; Dems play defense against DOGE
President Trump’s push to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine has rattled allies over the Atlantic and has unsettled some Republican Senators who want to see Kremlin leader Vladimir ...The Hill - 1h -
Many in new survey suggest news consumption, spending influenced by 2024 election
A new YouGov poll has found that almost half of Americans, 44 percent, are now consuming news differently than they did before the 2024 election while 38 percent have reported a change in their ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Democrats nervously wait on Trump response to court rulings
House Democrats howling over the flood of unilateral actions streaming from the White House are voicing confidence that the courts will provide a check on potential abuses of power. They’re less ...The Hill - 33m -
Trump administration ousts over 400 DHS employees in ongoing workforce purge
The Trump administration ousted 405 employees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in an ongoing workforce purge that has affected other federal agencies and departments. The majority of ...The Hill - 47m -
Trump doubles down on reciprocal tariffs, vowing a 'level playing field'
President Trump defended his presidential memorandum proposing reciprocal tariffs in a Truth Social post Saturday, saying the move will ensure a "level playing field for American workers." Trump ...The Hill - 49m -
3 men claiming to be from DOGE show up at SF City Hall, demand records
San Francisco city officials are investigating after three men who claimed to be from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) showed up at City Hall on Friday demanding records from offices ...CBS News - 1h -
Sunday shows preview: Trump's Russia-Ukraine moves rattle allies; Dems play defense against DOGE
President Trump’s push to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine has rattled allies over the Atlantic and has unsettled some Republican Senators who want to see Kremlin leader Vladimir ...The Hill - 1h