“This is pure nonsense. I find it outrageous that a handful of legislators would seek to ban abortion for all women in Missouri , yet they and their colleagues refuse to consider proven prevention programs that can safely reduce unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion,” said Rep. Robin Wright-Jones of the 63rd Legislative District in St. Louis and is Chair of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.
She was speaking against HB990, filed on Monday by Rep. Cynthia Davis (R-St. Charles) that would ban all abortions except those to save the life of the woman. The US Supreme Court has consistently found restrictions to abortions that do not contain an exception for the health of the woman to be unconstitutional.
“If we are serious about wanting fewer abortions then we should be doing everything we can to help women and teens not get pregnant unintentionally,” said Jones. “That’s why, today, I am filing the 2007 Missouri Prevention First Act together with 42 of my colleagues from across the state.”
According to Jones, the provisions of the 2007 Missouri Prevention First Act are programs, policies, and services that reduce unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion. The bill includes:
? BIRTH CONTROL PROTECTION: PFA protects access to birth control from government interference
? FAMILY PLANNING FUNDS: PFA reinstates the highly successful – and inexpensive – Women’s Health Services program that served 30,000 women
? COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION: PFA ensures Missouri youth receive medically accurate sex education that includes information on contraception so they stay healthy and safe
? COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE FOR RAPE SURVIVORS: PFA ensures victims of sexual assault have access to emergency contraception
? PATIENT PROTECTION: PFA requires pharmacies to make sure all legal prescriptions for birth control are filled without hassle or delay.
“I urge my colleagues to support this important bill and to put prevention first,”Jones said.