1. What is the duration of the waiting period required before an abortion in Missouri?

The waiting period required before an abortion in Missouri is 72 hours.

2. Does Missouri allow for exceptions to the waiting period for certain medical situations?

Yes, Missouri does allow for exceptions to the waiting period for certain medical situations. In Missouri, a woman may be eligible for an abortion without the 72-hour waiting period if she has obtained a certificate from a physician that states that her medical condition requires immediate termination of her pregnancy in order to avoid a serious risk to her life or physical health.

3. Is a woman in Missouri required to receive counseling prior to having an abortion?

No. In Missouri, a woman is not required to receive counseling prior to having an abortion. However, the provider is required to provide the woman with certain information about the risks and benefits of the abortion procedure, as well as other information related to abortion.

4. Does Missouri require parental involvement in a minor’s abortion decision?

No, Missouri does not require parental involvement in a minor’s abortion decision. Minors in Missouri may obtain an abortion from a licensed physician without parental involvement or notification.

5. Does Missouri have laws that require medically accurate information to be provided to women seeking abortions?

Yes, Missouri does have laws that require medically accurate information to be provided to women seeking abortions. The state has laws in place that require physicians or healthcare facilities providing abortion services to provide women seeking abortion services with information about the medical risks associated with abortion and also information about the gestational age of the fetus. The state also requires that women be provided with materials explaining their rights and options for carrying a pregnancy to term and related resources, as well as information about potential adoption services.

6. Does Missouri provide financial assistance to low-income women seeking abortions?

No, Missouri does not provide financial assistance to low-income women seeking abortions. However, there are several state and national organizations that provide assistance to women who are unable to afford the cost of an abortion.

7. Does Missouri require informed consent prior to having an abortion?

Yes, Missouri requires informed consent prior to having an abortion. All patients must receive information about the nature and consequences of the procedure, potential medical risks, alternatives to abortion, and other information as mandated under Missouri law. In addition, a 24-hour waiting period is required before the procedure can be performed.

8. Does Missouri have laws regarding the provision of information about alternatives to abortion?

Yes, Missouri has laws regarding the provision of information about alternatives to abortion. Section 188.028 of the Missouri Revised Statutes states that a physician must provide a pregnant woman with information about alternatives to abortion, including adoption services and agencies. The physician must also provide the woman with printed materials that describe the development of the unborn child and the risks associated with abortion.

9. Is public funding provided for abortions in Missouri?

No, public funding for abortions is not provided for abortions in Missouri. As of 2019, Medicaid does not cover abortions in Missouri unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger.

10. Are there any laws restricting insurance coverage for abortions in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri law restricts health insurance coverage for abortions in two ways. First, health insurance policies sold on the state’s health insurance exchange are prohibited from covering abortions, except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest. Second, Missouri law prohibits the use of state funds for abortions except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest.

11. Are there any laws in Missouri limiting abortions after a certain gestational age?

Yes, Missouri has laws limiting abortions after a certain gestational age. According to the Guttmacher Institute, Missouri has a law in place that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks postfertilization (22 weeks of gestation) unless the life or physical health of the woman is at risk. The law includes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Additionally, the law requires physicians to provide information regarding the purported link between abortion and an increased risk of mental health problems, as well as information regarding the fetus’s ability to feel pain.

12. Does Missouri have any laws regulating hospitals and clinics providing abortion services?

Yes, Missouri has several laws that regulate the provision of abortion services in clinics and hospitals. These laws include requirements related to informed consent, parental consent for minors, waiting periods, and limitations on late-term abortions.

13. Does Missouri require ultrasounds prior to obtaining an abortion?

No, Missouri does not require ultrasounds prior to obtaining an abortion. However, the state does require abortion providers to provide patients with the opportunity to view an ultrasound image of the fetus prior to the procedure.

14. Is there a waiting period after an ultrasound is performed before an abortion can be provided in Missouri?

No, there is not a waiting period after an ultrasound is performed before an abortion can be provided in Missouri.

15. Does Missouri restrict medical professionals from providing abortions?

Yes, Missouri does restrict medical professionals from providing abortions, though it varies depending on the circumstances. The state requires that all abortions be performed by a licensed physician. Additionally, the state requires that women receive counseling before having an abortion, that a parental consent form be completed for minors seeking an abortion, and that a waiting period of 72 hours be observed between the counseling session and the abortion procedure.

16. Are there any exceptions to the waiting period exemption in Missouri?

Yes, there are a few exceptions to the waiting period exemption in Missouri. These include:

1. If the homebuyer is a first-time homebuyer and has not owned a home in the past three years;

2. If the homebuyer is relocating for employment purposes;

3. If the homebuyer is buying a home as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan program;

4. If the homebuyer is a veteran of any branch of the U.S. armed services;

5. If the homebuyer is purchasing a foreclosed property; and

6. If the purchase is made through an eligible housing agency or state or local government program.

17. What are the legal requirements for consent to an abortion in Missouri?

In Missouri, the law requires that a woman seeking an abortion must receive counseling from a physician or designee at least 24 hours before the procedure. The counseling must include information on the physical and psychological risks associated with the procedure. A woman must also provide written consent prior to the procedure. In addition, minors must obtain the consent of one parent or guardian before undergoing an abortion.

18. Does Missouri allow for post-viability abortions if necessary to protect a woman’s health or life?

Yes, Missouri allows for post-viability abortions if necessary to protect a woman’s health or life, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. However, the physician performing the procedure is required to follow the applicable statutes and regulations in the state.

19. Does Missouri allow for exceptions to the waiting period exemption due to fetal anomalies or other medical complications?

Yes, Missouri allows for exceptions to the 72-hour waiting period required for an abortion due to fetal anomalies or other medical complications. A physician can apply for a waiver of the waiting period if they believe that the patient’s medical condition requires immediate attention. The waiver must be approved by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services before the abortion procedure is performed.

20. Do any regulations exist regarding insurance coverage of abortions in Missouri?

Yes, insurance companies operating in Missouri are not allowed to cover abortions for their policyholders, unless it is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant woman or in cases of rape or incest. The policyholder must pay for any abortion coverage out-of-pocket.