ADVISORY
MAY 7, 2014
ADVISORY: Concerned Missourians to Lobby Against Dangerous Denial of Care Bill
Citizen lobbyists will urge legislators to stop playing politics with women’s health, focus on expanding Medicaid instead
Media Contact: Ryann Summerford, (573) 424-8717, ryann.summerford@ppkm.org
Jefferson City, MO – Supporters of Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri will hold a Lobby Day at the Capitol on Thursday, May 8, 2014. Participants from across Missouri will meet with legislators to discuss their frustration with more than 32 anti-women’s health bills filed this session, including the extreme bill (HB 1307) that would triple the state’s existing mandatory waiting period for a woman seeking a safe and legal abortion and Speaker Jones’ Denial of Care bill (HB 1430). The Denial of Care bill could endanger the health of Missouri women by denying them access to basic health care, including contraception and emergency contraception for rape survivors. Lobby Day participants will also call on legislators to focus on saving lives and safeguarding the health of all Missourians through Medicaid expansion.
WHAT: Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri Statewide Lobby Day
WHO: Supporters of Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri and women’s health advocates
WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Under current state law, women must receive counseling information, sign a consent form stating that their decision to end a pregnancy is free and voluntary, and wait at least 24 hours to get an abortion. Tripling that wait requirement is particularly cruel for a woman in a difficult situation, for example a woman who has been the victim of rape or someone who needs to end a pregnancy because the fetus has a severe fetal abnormality.
Some examples of the implications should Denial of Care become law are:
A rape victim could be denied information and access to emergency contraception by a hospital, going against the standards of care outlined by the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other accrediting bodies.
A married couple having trouble getting pregnant could be refused information about assisted reproduction and lose their chance at having a child.
A patient at risk of contracting HIV could be refused information about and access to contraception.
A woman with a severe health complication could be denied an abortion referral if she decided to end the pregnancy to protect her health.
For questions, please contact Ryann Summerford, (573) 424-8717, or ryann.summerford@ppkm.org
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