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Democrats slam University of Missouri over Planned Parenthood decision

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In Missouri, headlines surrounding the Planned Parenthood controversy, one of the most partisan in recent memory, have skewed to the right. However, on Tuesday’s nationwide #PinkOut day, a movement created to show support for Planned Parenthood, Democratic legislators in the Misouri House and Senate aim to have their say in the conversation.

Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, seemed especially peeved that the University of Missouri revoked refer and follow privileges from Dr. Colleen McNicholas, the doctor who would be providing abortions at the Columbia Planned Parenthood. That revocation of privileges, which the university called outdated, will make it illegal for McNicholas to perform abortions at the facility when the privileges are officially revoked in December.

Rep. Mike Colona
Rep. Mike Colona

Colona believes the university caved to political pressure out of fear of government retribution via funding.

“Considering the timing of the decision, I don’t really understand anyone with a straight face can accept the explanation given by the chancellor about revoking those privileges,” Colona said. “The University of Missouri is a spectacular institution, it’s our flagship institution. They are above all this. When they stoop into the mud, into the sewers, and behave the way they’re behaving, it hurts Missourians.” 

Colona said his sentiment fell in line with a letter written by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, to Mizzou Chancellor Bowen Loftin, President Tim Wolfe and CEO/COO Mitch Wadsen.

“Your revocation of Planned Parenthood’s refer and follow privileges will force women throughout the Mid-Missouri region to travel hundreds of additional miles in order to receive the safe, legal procedure that our state’s laws guarantee is their right,” Nasheed wrote. “For countless underprivileged and low-income women who cannot afford to make this journey, your unilateral decision to deny them their rights is outright discrimination.

“The University should be above politics, and instead focus on bettering our state through education, research and medicine. If it is unprepared to do so, know that I intend to use my position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to examine ways to redirect funds to other organizations that are.”

Reps. Tracy McCreary, D-St. Louis and Stacy Newman, D-St. Louis, tweeted their support of #PinkOut day.

Newman also announced that she would be attending a pro-Planned Parenthood rally being held at the University of Missouri Tuesday afternoon.

Rep. Jeremy LaFaver
Rep. Jeremy LaFaver

The flood of local and national media has started watching Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, very closely as he chairs the Sanctity of Life Committee in the throes of his 2016 attorney general bid against primary opponent University of Missouri School of Law professor Josh Hawley. Schaefer’s action on the committee has raised some eyebrows for being “too conservative” to succeed in a general election, including those of pro-choice state Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, D-Kansas City.

“The effect on real people is that this committee’s work is already limiting health care options for women,” LaFaver said. “The political effect could be moderate Republicans will move to support Josh Hawley in the primary and the Democratic nominee in the general.”

Even the existence of the committee itself upsets Colona.

“I’m even more embarrassed that we set up a political witch hunt committee,” Colona said. “If it’s a question or legal issue on whether Planned Parenthood broke the law, then legal authorities, like the local prosecutor, U.S. Attorney or attorney general should investigate. In fact, our own attorney general conducted a criminal investigation and found no basis to support any law had been broken.

“We’re not the caliphate. We’re not a theocracy. We’re a secular government. Our duty isn’t to follow one moral or religious view above others, it’s to follow secular laws.”

Schaefer’s committee has sought the attention of thousands of pro-life Missourians, who have held rallies, awarded pro-life legislators, and attended committee hearings since they began in early August. Although current attorney general Chris Koster has found no evidence Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis affiliate did anything illegal, the committee is continuing their own investigation.

“What the committee is doing, basically, is protecting life and making sure the laws of the State of Missouri are enforced,” Sen. Kurt Schaefer replied. “I think that is what the People of Missouri want: overall, to choose life, and overall, strong law enforcement. That’s what I’m about and that’s what I’m going to do.”

 Travis Zimpfer contributed to this report.