Missouri court eviscerates most abortion rules, unlocking medication abortion access

A Jackson County judge permanently struck down most of Missouri’s abortion regulations—including a 72-hour waiting period and licensing hurdles—while preserving an in-person doctor visit requirement for medication abortions and a physician-only rule. The ruling opens access to medication abortion for Missourians for the first time since 2018, with Planned Parenthood planning to offer it next week; the state plans to appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court. The decision comes amid long-running national and state debates over abortion and follows voters approving a constitutional right to abortion up to fetal viability.