Correction (June 28, 2024): This story has been updated to correct information about a Missouri bill related to insurance coverage of birth control. It’s been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade and remade the national landscape of abortion law. That ruling cleared the way for Missouri to ban the […]
abortion
Posted inHealth
A ‘temporary pause’ at Trust Women, Wichita’s biggest abortion provider, adds to the load of other clinics
Correction: This story originally stated the wrong year Trust Women was founded. It was founded in 2009 and the clinic opened in 2013. In the three weeks since internal conflicts abruptly paused services at Wichita’s largest abortion provider, the two other places in the city providing abortion have scrambled to pick up the slack. One […]
Posted inHealth
Doctors say new Kansas law asking women why they’re getting an abortion is unconstitutional
Abortion providers are challenging a new Kansas law that will soon compel women to tell their doctors — and the state health department — their top reason for seeking an abortion. They say the law, set to take effect July 1, is unconstitutional and violates patient privacy. “Conversations that happen in the exam room are private,” […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, State Government
Minimum wage, abortion, sports betting, an Ozarks casino: What will land on Missouri ballots?
Whether Missouri legalizes abortion and sports betting, allows a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks or raises the minimum wage hinges on whether state and local officials judge that most of 1.25 million signatures on four petitions are legitimate. The secretary of state’s office has three more weeks to process the petitions and ship […]
Posted inKansas State Government, Uncategorized
Kansas lawmakers and Kelly couldn’t agree on tax cuts — so governor calls for another try
Takeaways: Kansas lawmakers failed to pass tax cuts that the governor would sign before adjourning for the year, setting up a heated tax fight during an election year. The Legislature adjourned early Wednesday morning, but Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has the power to bring lawmakers back for a special session. She promised to do it, […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, State Government
Lawmakers want your permission to weaken voters’ ability to change laws, the Missouri Constitution
Takeaways: Missouri voters will likely soon be asked by the lawmakers they elected to strip themselves of some power to put initiative petitions on the ballot — to take action when politicians won’t. Voters could be asked to place further restrictions on the already difficult, and costly, job of passing an initiative petition. One proposal […]
Posted inKansas State Government
Will Gov. Laura Kelly sign or veto tax cuts? Here’s what else passed
Takeaways: Kansas lawmakers approved new tax cuts, bans on gender-affirming cares and some new crimes this year. The Republican-controlled Legislature can expect Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to veto some of the most controversial bills, setting up override votes. Legislators finished the regular session and will take a few weeks off before returning for veto session. […]
Posted inHealth
Supreme Court abortion pill case could make abortion access even more difficult for Missourians
A case before the U.S. Supreme Court could drastically restrict access to medication abortions, now the most common form of abortion in the United States. That could further limit abortion options for Missouians, who must cross the state line to get a legal abortion. It could also increase the number of patients coming to Kansas, […]
Posted inHealth
A U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the abortion pill could drive more patients to Wichita
A case before the U.S. Supreme Court could drastically limit access to medication abortions, now the most common form of abortion in the United States. That could increase the already fast-growing flow of patients to Wichita trying to escape abortion bans that have swept through the region since the high court overturned Roe v. Wade […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, DIY Democracy, State Government
Missouri lawmakers break new ground to stop constitutional amendments — and abortion
Editor’s note (March 25, 2023): This story has been corrected to reflect that the proposal would require a majority support from voters statewide, plus a majority vote in five of Missouri’s eight congressional districts. While state lawmakers across the country stumbled when trying to make it harder for voters to amend state constitutions, Missouri lawmakers […]