Four bills dealing with the ongoing cultural battle surrounding women’s reproductive health were heard Monday night before a Missouri Senate committee.

They include a measure that would require a doctor to be physically present whenever abortion-inducing drugs are administered to a woman.  It’s sponsored by freshman Senator Wayne Wallingford (R, Cape Girardeau).  He says women who take RU-486 or other abortion-inducing drugs at home run a severe risk of complications.

“Most women who take RU-486 face intense side effects and heavy bleeding," Wallingford said.  "Though dismissed as the equivalent to a heavy period, the bleeding from (an) RU-486 abortion can be so severe that some women may require transfusions or surgery.”

Planned Parenthood lobbyist Michelle Trupiano testified against the bill, saying that medication abortions are both safe and effective.  Other bills being considered would give Missouri pharmacies the legal right to not provide certain drugs, guarantee free speech rights of alternatives-to-abortion centers, and would shield health professionals from providing services that violate their personal beliefs.  Votes on the four bills will be held at a later date.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport

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