Missouri: Pro-Life Once More?

Missouri has long been known as one of the most pro-life states in the nation. The state had a near-total ban on abortion and an abortion rate close to zero. This is why it was such a shock when, in November of 2024, the radically pro-abortion Amendment 3 narrowly passed, ending restrictions on abortion and instantly poising Missouri to become an abortion haven. 

Missouri’s Amendment 3 was particularly egregious in that it shielded abortion providers from investigation and prosecution for wrongdoing. This put women at the mercy of a deadly industry that had zero incentive to operate safely as they would face no accountability for wrongdoing. This was particularly alarming for the Center for Client Safety as we know, first hand, that abortion providers often put women in danger when they can be held accountable.

On May 27, 2025, the future of Missouri’s women and preborn children reached a pivotal moment as the Missouri Supreme Court reaffirmed the state’s near-total abortion ban, sending a clear signal that the right to life must be protected. In its ruling, the Court rejected a lower court's attempt to weaken the law, calling the challenge “inefficient,” and thereby upholding Missouri’s long-standing pro-life protections. 

Abortion advocates and providers like Planned Parenthood immediately went to work. Rianne Hawkins of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers confirmed that while abortion is banned in Missouri, they are “working very hard to provide abortion and abortion-related care to anyone that needs it,” including facilitating out-of-state abortions. Clinics are referring Missouri women across state lines to obtain abortions in places like Illinois (home to several notoriously dangerous abortion facilities) highlighting how far the abortion industry will go to avoid accountability and keep revenue flowing from abortion.

Abortion will be on the ballot in Missouri again in 2026 when voters will have the opportunity to repeal Amendment 3. Until then, pro-life advocates in Missouri and across the nation must remain vigilant. 

Missouri is yet another example of a pro-life state being deceived by out-of-state, pro-abortion actors who concealed the truth about the pro-abortion referendum. Voters thought they were protecting the “right” to abortion but what they got were new policies that left zero protections for women and complete absolution for negligent abortion providers. 

Our hope is that Missouri voters will see the light and understand exactly what Amendment 3 will do to their state. The abortion industry must be held accountable.