Show-Me State Times

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced that his office has filed an appeal following a Jackson County Court's preliminary injunction, which blocks the enforcement of Missouri's health and safety regulations for abortion facilities. This move comes after the Missouri Supreme Court recently overturned a previous injunction in Comprehensive Health v. State of Missouri, supporting the state's authority to enforce these protections.

Attorney General Bailey stated, "We respectfully but firmly disagree with the Court’s decision to once again block basic health and safety regulations, just weeks after the Supreme Court reinstated them." He emphasized that these regulations are meant to ensure women receive care in sanitary conditions from qualified professionals with emergency safeguards in place.

The recent court decision has halted several key regulations designed to protect women's health and safety. These include measures against coerced abortions, ensuring sterile equipment and clean facilities, maintaining emergency plans for complications, and upholding ultrasound rights. According to Bailey, "These commonsense protections were put in place because of the past actions of abortion providers in Missouri: moldy equipment, falsified reports, and disregard for basic medical standards."

Planned Parenthood has been highlighted by Bailey as having a history of noncompliance. He noted instances where former medical directors admitted to failing to report complications over a decade and a 2018 incident where a facility was shut down due to mold-contaminated equipment.

Bailey concluded by asserting his commitment to holding Planned Parenthood accountable and fighting this ruling in court. "We will continue to hold Planned Parenthood accountable, and we will always fight to protect women, children, and the rule of law," he said.