The Truth of Amendment 3: Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Amendment 3 is one of the proposed amendments to our Missouri Constitution which will be on the Tuesday, November 5 ballot. I am VOTING NO on Amendment 3 because it will allow for a flood of dangerous practices regarding reproductive healthcare, making Missouri into one of the states with the worst Pro-life and nearly non-existent reproductive protection laws.

By its language “persons,” minor children and adults will be able to access contraception including but not limited to pills, patches, IUDs, implants, vaginal rings, etc. A minor child will be able to access counseling, hormones, puberty blockers, or even surgery to assist in the transitioning process without a parent’s knowledge or consent.  They can make decisions regarding “all matters relating to reproductive health, including but not limited to…”  This is any reproductive related care currently available or whatever technology may come in the future.  This is all in section 2.

No person can be sued for any “reproductive” services including but not limited to vasectomies, IUDs, labor/delivery, hysterectomies, gender transition, etc. One loses one’s right to seek satisfaction for medical malpractice. Without repeating the amendment itself, read section 5. It’s very plain.

In section 8, “fetal viability” is to be determined by a “healthcare professional” (Where’s the definition for this title?) and can be made “in good faith” (Who determines this?) without any interference by the government, state of Missouri, or local entities.  No local control whatsoever. Abortion clinics could be located in schools with the removal of authority over reproductive care.  

Safety and health standards in facilities that offer reproductive health care will be eliminated and the members of our state legislature will not be able to deny our Missouri tax dollars to pay for such services because these will be enshrined as rights in our Missouri Constitution. Per section 6, the govt. must provide this reproductive healthcare.

I could go through each section pointing out how the language allows for dangerous practices, no matter your pro-life stance.  This bill is about money and opening up industry more than freedom.

Amendment 3 is being promoted as a woman’s right to choose in a horrible circumstance where abortion may be considered, but the larger outcome to what is hidden in this amendment is far reaching and dangerous, with the potential to destroy many lives.

Sincerely,

Heather Wright

Hartville, MO