Midwives Now Have Legal Right to Perform Abortions?

The following is a Press Release by Missouri Right to Life on Wednesday, June 25, 2008:

The decision by the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 24th brings back the pro-life issues of HB 818, which allows midwives to perform abortions.

"HB 818, passed during the 2007 legislative session, establishes the Missouri Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Missouri Right to Life has no position on the main topic of this bill. However, HB 818, now upheld by the Missouri Supreme Court, contains a new provision, section 376.1753, that permits midwives to perform services that Missouri law has not previously allowed. Missouri Right to Life has no position on whether, in general, expanding midwives’ role in pregnancy and childbirth is appropriate. Unfortunately, because of the drafter’s choice of language in the amendment, including the use of a term that has been all but forgotten in the English language—“tocological”—the new provision can be exploited to allow abortions to be performed by non-physicians," said Pam Fichter, President of Missouri Right to Life.

"Whatever the intent of the drafters and proponents of new sec. 376.1753, abortionists have been handed an unexpected gift in HB 818," according to Fichter.

"Missouri Right to Life urges the Governor’s leadership in calling for a special session in September 2008 to run concurrent with the veto session to pass language to address the pro-life issues raised by HB 818," said Pam Fichter.