Demand for emergency contraception in Missouri increases following election

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As Missouri transitions to a new administration, there is a lot of uncertainty about what the election results mean for contraceptive access. One non-profit says this uncertainty has led to an increase in requests for help.

Although Missourians voted to pass Amendment Three, enshrining abortion access into the state constitution, the election of an anti-abortion governor has many confused about what’s next.

That confusion has led to an increase in requests for these emergency contraceptive kits. Missouri Family Health Council sends out emergency contraceptive kits on request Before the election — Leslie Klote says there were about 19 requests a day for a kit – but following the election, requests spiked to 150 per day.

“Patients are just really afraid of just what these changes might mean for them personally,” Klote said.

The kits contain two doses of a contraceptive pill, condoms, lubricant and information on different reproductive care resources in Missouri. They can be requested online through Missouri Family Health Council’s website. The kits are sent in the mail in unmarked envelopes.

Governor-elect Mike Kehoe previously told us he would respect the results of the election — but still focus his efforts on abortion alternatives.

Many of those alternatives can be found at pregnancy centers, like Coalition Life in St. Louis. Brian Westbrook with Coalition Life says Amendment Three was unnecessary.

“There are safety nets for women here in the state of Missouri,” Westbrook said. “We didn’t need Amendment Three or any amendment to give them the safeguards.”

In addition to abortion, Amendment Three does protect access to other forms of birth control. But even with that, Klote says the future of reproductive care is uncertain going into next year.

“I think there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty with the changes that are happening both at the federal and state level,” Klote said.

Amendment Three is set to go into effect Dec. 5. Planned Parenthood has filed a lawsuit to lift Missouri’s abortion ban, that has a hearing set for Dec. 4.

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