Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is being called on by Planned Parenthood centers around Missouri to immediately disband the task force his office recently convened to examine "the impact of abortion on women" despite the fact that no credible evidence exists to suggest a universally negative impact on women after obtaining an abortion. Even anti-choice U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop could not issue a final report on the matter when asked to do so in the late 1980s, stating (in reference to potential effects from abortion on a womans' mental health) "the scientific studies do not provide conclusive data about the health effects of abortion on women."

There is no pretense for why the task force was formed. In November of this year, Governor Blunt was quoted as saying,

"This is a very informal group of good people who believe in advancing the cause of life and believe that we should minimize the impact of abortion on society," he said.

So, let's get this straight. Despite the absolute dearth of credible evidence that abortion hurts women physically, psychologically, mentally or in any other way, the governor of Missouri has decided, based on his personal belief system, that tax payers in his state should fund a charade of a committee loyal only to said personal ideology?

Exactly.

Governor Blunt's spokesperson Jessica Robinson said the anti-choice organization, Missouri Alliance for Life, came up with the idea. The task force was assembled with fourteen of the most anti-choice of leaders and advocates in the state and has thus far met four times.

Michelle Trupiano, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri, told Steve Walsh at Missourinet.com that,

"They are only going after one-sided information and they'll only collect one-sided information and a lot of it is going to be unscientifically, medically inaccurate information that then they are going to say, ‘The task force recommends…' and have the weight of the task force behind it which could be very detrimental. We actually think time, money and energy should be spent on preventing unintended pregnancies…"

Oh, Michelle, you can't be serious. You'd rather see resources devoted to ensuring that women receive the health education, information and access to care they need to prevent unintended pregnancies than to a group masquerading as policy-makers in an effort to criminalize abortion?

Michelle says Planned Parenthood is calling upon the Governor to immediately disband the task force because of another attack on women's rights being imported into the state.

A Springfield, Illinois-based group called The Elliot Insitute is launching a campaign in support of a ballot initiative, "Prevention of Coerced and Unsafe Abortion", they've proposed in Missouri that would outlaw abortions in the state unless, according to The News-Leader:

"…a doctor certifies the procedure is needed to prevent imminent death or severe medical risks, and would subject anyone who provides any drug, medical advice or assistance for a woman to terminate her own pregnancy to a fine of $800,000."

Once again, we've got severe criminal penalties levied on physicians while the woman who accesses the abortion is presumably too victimized to know any better and somehow walks away free and clear from this proposed criminal procedure. One of the problems with this idea is that, as is generally the case with anti-choice advocacy, there is never any actual evidence to support their claims.

Where is the evidence to show that Missouri needs legislation to protect against women being forced in large numbers to obtain abortions? What, then, is the reason to enact this legislation beyond the fact that a handful of anti-choice leaders don't like abortion? Jessica at Feministing says, "I suppose we shouldn't be shocked that they're going the "women are too stupid to know that when they get abortions, they're getting abortions" route, but it's still frigging infuriating."

Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri spokesperson Kellie Rohrbaugh says this:

"Planned Parenthood believes that if Missourians are serious about reducing the need for abortion we must put prevention first and focus on reducing unintended pregnancies through comprehensive sex education and increased access to contraception and other family planning services," Rohrbaugh said.

So, on one side, the women and families of Missouri have advocates and health centers that want to ensure their health, well-being and access to care. On the other, we have a group of activists, headed by the Governor, who wish to push an agenda that strips women of decision-making power over their bodies and their lives and criminalizes physicians and other health care providers.

If you wish to help Planned Parenthood of Missouri fight both battles, click here.