The Missouri Supreme Court has reinstated a near-total ban on abortion in the Show Me State. On May 27, 2025, justices ruled that a lower court judge had applied the wrong legal standard in two recent decisions that temporarily allowed abortions to resume.
Abortion had been almost entirely banned in Missouri since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago, but in November 2024 voters passed Amendment 3, enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution. That amendment paved the way for Planned Parenthood to file a lawsuit challenging the ban.
Abortions in Missouri were allowed in recent months due to a preliminary injunction that had blocked enforcement of key health and safety regulations at abortion facilities. That injunction has been vacated by the state Supreme Court.
In a Washington Post article, Planned Parenthood announced that it had immediately halted all abortions in Missouri.
In bringing the case to the Supreme Court, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey secured a victory for “the rule of law, women’s health, and unborn life” by forcing abortion providers to comply with state law regarding basic safety and sanitation requirements.
In an Associated Press article, Planned Parenthood, which vowed to continue the legal battle in Missouri, maintained that those restrictions were specifically targeted to make it harder to access abortion.
“Planned Parenthood has a well-documented history of violating state law and disregarding women’s health,” said Bailey.
“The law is clear. The evidence is overwhelming. This ruling is a win for common sense, for basic medical safety, and for the sanctity of human life. We will continue to hold Planned Parenthood accountable, and we will always fight to protect women, children, and the rule of law.”
Steve Rupp, President of Missouri Right to Life, celebrated the court ruling.
“This decision will save the lives of preborn babies and the health and safety of Missouri women,” he said. “This is a great victory for life!”
Pro-life advocates in Missouri have been praying for this kind of judicial reversal.
On May 1, the Midwest March for Life was held in Jefferson City, Missouri in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer observance. The theme for the Midwest March for Life was “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled.”
For the last 15 years, the March has been organized by 40 Days for Life. Kathy Forck, the director of 40 Days for Life, exhorted Missourians to stand for life.
“Now, more than ever, people need to voice their belief that all life is sacred, precious, and ordained by God,” Forck said in the Metro Voice News (Kansas City).
Liberty Link Missouri PAC also participated in the Midwest March for Life. Bev Ehlen, president of the organization, lamented that “abortion takes the lives of millions of unborn children every year in the United States.”
“This event is being held to honor and glorify Jesus Christ and defend innocent life,” she told Metro Voice News.
On May 5, Liberty Link Missouri PAC posted a prayer for government leaders on Facebook that included an appeal for godly wisdom and this opening paragraph: “Father, we hold up in prayer before you the men and women who are in positions of authority. We pray that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon them…”
On May 27, 2025, the voices of pro-life advocates were heard, and the prayers of pro-life champions were answered, as the state Supreme Court banned nearly all abortions in Missouri.