Vote To Lift Abortion Ban In Missouri Could Create More Care Access For Oklahomans

After Missouri voters moved to overturn the state’s abortion ban, Oklahoma advocates are hopeful the decision will create more access for Oklahomans, reducing travel times and wait periods through partnerships with nearby clinics, although Missouri’s law remains in place pending court action.

Wednesday, November 6th 2024, 6:43 pm

By: Jayden Brannon

TULSA, Okla. -

The issue of abortion was on the ballot in several states, including Missouri.

Voters there cleared the way to lift their states near ban on abortion. Some people believe that could affect Oklahomans' access to abortion.

The Roe Fund helps pay for Oklahomans to get abortion services and because of the abortion ban in Oklahoma, it partners with clinics in three nearby states. Now, Missouri could join the partnership.

"It's about a three-hour trip just from Tulsa," said Roe Fund board of directors member Kensey Wright. "That's how long it can take pregnant women in Oklahoma to drive to the closest clinic to receive abortion care in Wichita, Kansas. A potential lifted ban nearby could mean more clinics within driving distance for Oklahomans. With Missouri opening that up, I'm hopeful that wait times will be reduced," Wright said.

The Roe fund is an organization that helps pay for out of state abortion services for Oklahomans. The fund partners with clinics in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico.

"Just from Albuquerque, we helped four people in Albuquerque," said Wright.

After the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Missouri was the first state to ban abortion. After Tuesday's vote to end the ban in Missouri, Wright was hopeful abortion will be more accessible for Oklahomans.

"Joplin, I'm hoping, will also be another location that can open that up," said Wright.

As Wright works to expand access, Republican State Senator Nathan Dahm has worked to restrict it further.

"It just shows how truthfully broken our education system is here in America, how much propaganda that people don't understand rights, you don't have the right to violate someone else's rights," he said.

"This is necessary and needed medical healthcare, not just to protect women in Oklahoma, but to truthfully protect children in Oklahoma," said Wright.

Strong opinions that impact a patchwork of laws in a post Roe v. Wade America.

The abortion ban in Missouri is not automatically lifted. Advocates will now petition the courts to ask the ban to be overturned so it aligns with the amendment voters passed.