RELEASE: No limits for controlling politicians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Contact: liz@progressmo.org

Missouri State Senate candidates turn attention to controlling birth control access

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Politicians continue to demand more control over Missourians’ lives despite citizens telling them they want their freedom. Missouri’s cruel abortion ban, with no exceptions for rape or incest, was just the beginning for candidates who show no signs of stopping their crusade. 

According to data from the Missouri Family Health Council, over 85% of Missourians support people having access to all methods of birth control. But 60% of Missourians have expressed concern about state elected officials restricting access.

State Senate candidates are campaigning on taking away these freedoms, hoping Missourians won’t notice their attempts to seize more power over women’s bodies. 

Joe Nicola, running for State District 11 in Independence, is against protecting the right to access birth control and has said Missourians must “protect life at all stages.” 

Adam Schnelting, running for State District 23 in St. Charles, knows Missourians want the right to make their own personal medical decisions and actively encouraged them to not sign the initiative petition that would enshrine protection for birth control. 

As a state representative, Jerry Nolte, currently running for State District 17 in North Kansas City, voted to let pharmacists and doctors refuse emergency contraception such as Plan B to Missourians. 

Missourians are fighting back and refusing to let politicians get away with these draconian measures. 

“First they came for abortion. Then IVF. Now contraception,” said Heather Lindsy, a St. Louis resident. “This isn’t about policy. It’s about control.”

The historically unproductive 2024 legislative session was marked by Missouri electeds refusing to pass a bipartisan women’s health bill with provisions on birth control access, mammograms, rape kit tests and STI screenings. But because politicians incorrectly equated birth control with abortifacients and the delays sunk the bill.

Nancy Bateman is a retired nurse from Jefferson City who has seen firsthand how dangerous these attacks on health care are.

“At my age I have witnessed the advances in civil rights women and minorities have made in the past 60 years. The terrible and unequal laws that have been enacted have made me heartsick and afraid for our citizens,” Bateman said. “It’s a travesty and overreach of government in the quest for adequate health care.”