The Western District Court of Appeals issued a decision affirming a lower court’s injunction blocking Missouri’s ban on abortion care and enjoining several medically unnecessary restrictions that target abortion providers. In addition to labeling portions of the Attorney General’s argument as “lack[ing] any precedent” and “disingenuous,” the court recognized that, “...if a statute is unconstitutional, being subjected to that statute causes irreparable harm.”
The ACLU of Missouri, Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Missouri issued the following statement:
“The unanimous decision is a critical affirmation that patients can continue to access procedural abortions in Missouri. The court rejected this attempt by the Attorney General, and is continuing to allow Missourians to exercise their constitutional right to access abortion care where they live. We will continue fighting for the full implementation of the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, including medication abortion.”
A challenge to the state’s ban on medication abortion and a request for a preliminary injunction is still pending in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
The original lawsuit was filed on behalf of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers-Missouri, who are represented by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, the American Civil Liberties Union, Crowell & Moring, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The case is currently slated for a two-week trial in January 2026.
Read the panel’s full decision.