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Missouri Supreme Court Halts Abortions, Demands Stricter Review of Lower Rulings

By ordering a review of Judge Jerri Zhang’s injunctions under more rigorous standards, the court paused abortion services across the state.

Overview

  • The court found that Judge Jerri Zhang applied the wrong legal standard in December and February and vacated her injunctions that had temporarily restored abortion access.
  • Planned Parenthood canceled abortion appointments at its Kansas City and Columbia clinics and is helping patients secure care in neighboring Illinois and Kansas.
  • The ruling instructs Zhang to reevaluate the case using a more stringent harm-based test, keeping the ban in effect but preserving the option for future injunctions.
  • Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey hailed the decision as a win for health and safety regulations while the ACLU pledged to seek a new injunction defending the voter-approved amendment.
  • Republican lawmakers have already placed a 2026 ballot measure to reinstate the abortion ban with exceptions for medical emergencies, rape and incest.