Democrats are asking Gov. Mike Parson to call a special legislative session to clarify that Missouri’s stringent new anti-abortion law doesn’t prohibit other treatments and medication. It’s a reasonable ask, because the new law is so vaguely worded that medical providers are uncertain about the legality of even routine birth control or potentially life-saving procedures during problem pregnancies.
Since Parson has already announced a yet-unscheduled special session for later this year to address tax cuts, it wouldn’t even require any extra travel for lawmakers to conduct a parallel session regarding the abortion law. Would Parson really like the look of legislators gathering in Jefferson City to pass out tax cuts while refusing to address the potentially dangerous quandaries they’ve created for women?
The law as written outlaws all abortions “except in cases of medical emergency.” A doctor who is brought up on charges has the “burden of persuasion” that it was a legitimate medical emergency. Should that defense fail, penalties include loss of medical license and up to 15 years in prison.
