Planned Parenthood

Judge Jerri Zhang has yet to issue her ruling in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood that seeks to strike down the state’s ban on abortions Friday, when a voter-approved amendment protecting abortion access goes into effect.

After voters approved Amendment 3 in November, Planned Parenthood attorneys want to overturn a number of Missouri laws that regulate abortion services and providers. A court decision on the lawsuit could come soon.

A Jackson County judge on Wednesday will hear Planned Parenthood’s attempt to overturn a number of Missouri laws regulating abortion. Meanwhile, several GOP legislators have already filed bills hoping to reinstate an abortion ban.

The leader of Planned Parenthood Great Plains says the move is a ploy to prevent a Jackson County judge from potentially knocking down other abortion restrictions. Andrew Bailey says his office will continue to enforce laws requiring parental consent and outlawing coercion.

Missouri became the first state to overturn a near-total abortion ban through a voter referendum in last week's election. Planned Parenthood Great Plains president Emily Wales says they're ready to resume abortion services by early December, although prolonged legal battles could push that date back.

At a rally on Thursday, Amendment 3 supporters said they expect legal challenges from Missouri legislators who oppose abortion. Planned Parenthood has already sued to overturn the state's abortion ban and other restrictions.

When it goes into effect in December, Amendment 3 will protect abortion up to what’s known as fetal viability — which is about 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood leaders say that neither the Missouri legislature's efforts to cut Planned Parenthood off from Medicaid funding, nor next month’s vote on an abortion-rights amendment, were factors in the consolidation.

Clinics in states where most abortions are legal, such as Kansas and Illinois, are reporting an influx of inquiries from patients hundreds of miles away — and are expanding in response.

Planned Parenthood reports nearly one in five of its patients is insured by Medicaid, which covers contraceptive access, sexually transmitted infections treatment, cancer screenings and more.

Missouri voters will decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in November. If they do, accessing abortion could be easier in Kansas, health providers say.

A Missouri law taking effect Wednesday would end Medicaid reimbursements for health centers associated with abortion providers, even though abortion is banned in the state. Planned Parenthood alleges it violates federal Medicaid law, which protects patients’ right to choose their health care providers.