In Missouri, doctors are raising their voices, tired of seeing the impact of the state’s near-total abortion ban on their patients’ lives and well-being.
Over 800 medical professionals in the state are now backing Amendment 3, a ballot initiative aimed at reversing this ban and restoring reproductive rights.
Dr. Betsy Wickstrom, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine based in Kansas City, spoke at a recent press conference. She emphasized a key point that resonates with many in the medical field: “Politicians are not more qualified than doctors to help our patients make decisions around their reproductive health care,”
She spoke. Her message was clear politicians have no place in the exam room, and a “yes” vote on Amendment 3 could change that.
Amendment 3: Restoring Reproductive Freedom
Amendment 3, known as the “Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative,” aims to amend Missouri’s constitution to explicitly protect reproductive rights.
If passed, the measure would ensure that every individual has the right to make and carry out decisions regarding their reproductive health care. This includes the right to access abortion services without interference from the state.
The language of the initiative leaves no room for doubt: “The right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed or otherwise restricted.”
Furthermore, it asserts that the state government cannot discriminate against individuals or healthcare providers involved in reproductive care.
This initiative was introduced by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and garnered nearly 380,000 signatures—far exceeding the required 171,592 signatures to be included on the ballot.
Despite its overwhelming support, the road to certification was fraught with legal challenges. Two Republican lawmakers sued the Missouri Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, in an attempt to block the amendment, arguing it failed to list specific laws that would be repealed.
This led to a temporary decertification by Ashcroft, but after legal battles, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the amendment should appear on the November ballot.
The Impact of Missouri’s Abortion Ban
Missouri enacted a near-total abortion ban in 2022, which only allows abortions in cases of medical emergencies that risk “irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”
This broad and vague definition has left both patients and doctors uncertain about what constitutes a medical emergency.
Dr. Wickstrom shared heartbreaking stories of patients who were denied critical care because of the ban.
She recalled patients with heart disease and other serious health conditions who were forced to travel out of state to terminate pregnancies and receive life-saving care.
In one case, she described a patient who was suffocating in her exam room due to a complicated pregnancy, but by law, she could not provide the necessary care.
“Why are we making people choose between their own lives and continuing a pregnancy in a forced birth situation?”
Dr. Wickstrom questioned. Her concerns are not isolated—across Missouri and other states with strict abortion laws, doctors are being forced into impossible positions, where their ability to provide routine, safe medical care is restricted by fear of legal repercussions.
The Broader Picture: A National Crisis in Reproductive Health Care
The situation in Missouri is not unique. Across the United States, particularly in red states, abortion bans have led to significant challenges in providing healthcare. Doctors are leaving states with restrictive abortion laws in droves.
In Idaho, for example, 22% of obstetricians have left since the state’s abortion ban was implemented. In Texas, the number of applicants to OB-GYN residency programs dropped by 10.4% after the state passed its six-week abortion ban.
Nationally, 5.5 million women live in areas with limited or no access to maternity care services, according to a survey by March of Dimes.
This exodus of healthcare professionals is leaving millions of women without the care they need during pregnancy.
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A Crucial Vote in November
With Amendment 3 certified for the November ballot, Missouri will become the 11th state to vote on a reproductive rights measure. For the amendment to pass, it will need 50% of the vote.
Supporters, like Dr. Jennifer Smith, an OBGYN in St. Louis, are hopeful that voters will stand up for patients’ rights.
“We have a chance to protect patients’ freedom, health, and lives,” Dr. Smith said at the press conference. “That’s why doctors like us are speaking out on behalf of our patients, our fellow medical professionals, and all Missourians. We are saying yes on Amendment 3.”
The upcoming vote could signal a turning point for reproductive rights in Missouri, giving doctors the ability to provide the care their patients need without fear of legal consequences.