Politics

Cultural Battle Over Women's Reproductive Health Issues Resumes In Mo. Senate Hearings

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published February 18, 2013 at 11:33 PM CST

Four bills dealing with the ongoing cultural battle surrounding women’s reproductive health were heard Monday night before a Missouri Senate committee.

They include a measure that would require a doctor to be physically present whenever abortion-inducing drugs are administered to a woman. It’s sponsored by freshmanSenator Wayne Wallingford(R, Cape Girardeau). He says women who take RU-486 or other abortion-inducing drugs at home run a severe risk of complications.

“Most women who take RU-486 face intense side effects and heavy bleeding," Wallingford said. "Though dismissed as the equivalent to a heavy period, the bleeding from (an) RU-486 abortion can be so severe that some women may require transfusions or surgery.”

Planned Parenthood lobbyist MichelleTrupianotestified against the bill, saying that medication abortions are both safe and effective. Other bills being considered would give Missouri pharmacies the legal right to not provide certain drugs, guarantee free speech rights of alternatives-to-abortion centers, and would shield health professionals from providing services that violate their personal beliefs. Votes on the four bills will be held at a later date.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport

Tags

Marshall Griffin

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.

See stories by Marshall Griffin

Marshall Griffin

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.