What You May Not Know About Missouri Amendment 3: Is It Truly Protecting Your Rights?
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Missouri Amendment 3 is being promoted as a step toward protecting reproductive freedom, but the amendment contains radical changes that go far beyond what most voters realize. If passed, this amendment would dramatically impact Missouri’s laws on reproductive health, parental rights, and even taxpayer-funded services. Before you cast your vote, it’s important to understand the full scope of this amendment and what it truly means for you, your family, and your community.
What Amendment 3 Actually Includes
At first glance, Amendment 3 seems to focus on reproductive rights, but it introduces sweeping changes that would overhaul many existing protections. The amendment establishes the Right to Reproductive Freedom initiative, which includes not only abortion access but also prenatal care, postpartum care, birth control, miscarriage care, and gender transitioning. The problem is that the language of the amendment is written so broadly that it strips away many existing regulations.
For example, minors would have the right to make life-altering decisions about their health, including gender transitions and abortion, without the need for parental consent or even notification. This means that parents could be left out of critical decisions affecting their children, removing their ability to guide and protect them.
Additionally, this amendment nullifies Missouri’s current laws on reproductive health, meaning that abortion could take place at any stage of pregnancy, with minimal oversight. The amendment also broadens the definition of “health care professional,” allowing individuals who are not doctors to perform procedures.
Key Concerns You May Not Have Considered
1. Removal of Safety and Health Standards
One of the most dangerous aspects of this amendment is that it would eliminate safety and health standards for abortion clinics. Current Missouri laws ensure that clinics follow certain regulations to protect the health of women. If Amendment 3 passes, these laws would be nullified, leaving women vulnerable to unsafe procedures. This could lead to abortions being performed by non-doctors, in facilities without adequate medical oversight. The amendment would also remove the state’s ability to enforce health and safety measures, except in very limited circumstances.
2. Late-Term Abortions and Vague Language on Fetal Viability
Another alarming detail is that the amendment allows for abortions at any stage of pregnancy, even up until birth. The vague language surrounding “fetal viability” leaves room for interpretation, making it possible for abortions to be performed as late as nine months into pregnancy. The justification could be as simple as the mother feeling stressed or anxious, which is a far cry from the life-threatening conditions often cited in late-term abortion cases. The phrase "good faith judgment of a treating health care professional" doesn't necessarily require a doctor, further increasing the risk.
3. No Legal Accountability for Providers
Amendment 3 also protects anyone involved in providing or assisting with reproductive health services, including abortions, from being penalized or prosecuted. This means that no one, including unqualified individuals, could be held legally accountable for poor or harmful procedures. Imagine a scenario where someone performs a botched abortion or gender transition surgery—this amendment ensures they can’t be sued or prosecuted, leaving women and minors without legal recourse.
4. Parental Rights Eroded
Under the new amendment, parental involvement is completely eliminated in many reproductive decisions for minors, including gender transitions. Minors would be able to make decisions about irreversible treatments like hormone therapy or surgeries without parental consent or even their knowledge. This strips away the essential role of parents in guiding their children through difficult and life-altering choices.
What Supporters Might Overlook
Supporters of Amendment 3 often argue that it’s necessary to ensure access to reproductive healthcare. However, Missouri already provides access to essential reproductive services like prenatal care, miscarriage treatment, and birth control. What this amendment actually does is remove common-sense regulations that protect both women and children. It’s important to ask: is this truly about expanding freedom, or is it about eliminating protections that most Missourians value?
For example, while supporters highlight the importance of abortion rights, many don’t realize that this amendment would make abortion legal for all nine months of pregnancy, for virtually any reason, and remove critical health standards that protect women. Additionally, taxpayer dollars would be used to fund these services, meaning that every Missouri resident would be paying for abortions, gender transitions, and other procedures, regardless of their personal or moral beliefs.
Other Radical Changes Hidden in Amendment 3
1. Single-Sex Public Restrooms and Sports Teams Eliminated
The amendment’s broad language also opens the door for the elimination of single-sex public restrooms and sports teams, as it prohibits discrimination based on reproductive health decisions. This means schools and other public institutions could be forced to allow biological males who identify as female to compete on women’s sports teams or use women’s facilities.
2. Taxpayer Funding for Reproductive Services
Perhaps one of the most overlooked points is that Missouri taxpayers will be forced to pay for all reproductive services, including abortions and gender transitions. This means your tax dollars would be used to fund procedures that many Missourians find morally objectionable.
What Happens if Amendment 3 Passes?
The consequences of passing Amendment 3 could be far-reaching and deeply concerning. Missouri's existing abortion restrictions will be completely dismantled, allowing abortions at any stage of pregnancy for almost any reason. The vague term “fetal viability” leaves too much room for interpretation, potentially allowing abortions up to the moment of birth. This could include situations where the only justification is the mother’s emotional state.
Additionally, the amendment opens the door for minors to undergo gender transition procedures without parental consent, leaving them vulnerable to making irreversible decisions without the wisdom and protection of their families. Furthermore, Missouri taxpayers would be on the hook to fund these services, including abortions and gender transition treatments.
Vote No to Protect Missouri’s Future
Amendment 3 presents itself as a measure to protect rights, but in reality, it removes critical protections for children, families, and taxpayers. Voting "No" on Amendment 3 is about preserving parental involvement in important healthcare decisions, ensuring the safety of women, and maintaining common-sense laws that protect the vulnerable.
Before you vote, make sure you fully understand what this amendment would mean for our state. You can read or download the full text of Amendment 3 here and make an informed decision. Encourage your friends and family to take a closer look at Amendment 3 and ask themselves if it truly aligns with their values and beliefs. Missouri deserves better than this extreme and dangerous amendment.
