In 2024, a majority of Missourians voted to protect access to abortion by amending our state constitution. We made our voices clear: the government should not interfere with private medical decisions. But now, despite this vote, dozens of outdated, unnecessary, and harmful abortion restrictions still remain on the books—and they are preventing people from getting the care they need.

These laws are not about safety—they are about control. From forced 72-hour waiting periods, to requiring the same doctor for both visits, to banning telemedicine for medication abortion, Missouri’s current regulations are deliberately designed to block access and intimidate providers. Even tissue from an abortion must be submitted to a pathologist. Clinics are forced to follow absurd building codes. And providers must carry insurance for 21 years after prescribing abortion pills. None of this protects patients—it pushes care out of reach.

The lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri is an essential step toward aligning our laws with the will of the voters. If these restrictions are struck down, abortion access in Missouri will become safer, earlier, and more accessible for people across the state.

Every delay, every hoop, every politically motivated barrier violates the new constitutional amendment Missourians fought for and passed. It’s time for our elected leaders and courts to respect that mandate.

We call on the Missouri courts to strike down all abortion-related regulations that violate the new constitutional amendment. We also demand that the Missouri Attorney General’s Office stop seeking access to private patient records as part of its political agenda. Let medical providers do their jobs. Let patients make their own decisions. And let the people’s vote stand.

Missouri spoke at the ballot box. Now we need our leaders to listen.