Missouri health care providers can now resume offering abortion care after a Jackson County circuit court judge temporarily blocked a restrictive anti-abortion law.

“Today’s decision is a triumph for all Missourians: for the voters who demanded their rights, for the medical providers we trust to provide care, and most importantly, for patients who will now be able to receive high-quality care without fear,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “Abortion care will be restored immediately. The people voted, the court responded, and we will do our part: serving Missourians in their home state.”

Last November, Missouri was one of seven states to enshrine abortion rights in its state constitution. Amendment 3 established and protected the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” covering decisions about all aspects of reproductive health care — including “prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.”

Before this, Missouri had a total abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the pregnant person. However, because the amendment did not explicitly overturn the state’s existing ban, providers sued almost immediately after voters approved the constitutional change to enforce it.

In late December, a state circuit court ruled that Missouri’s trigger ban and other abortion restrictions were unconstitutional and blocked those laws. However, some regulations

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