June 24, 2019 – Planned Parenthood calls on Gov. Parson to fire Missouri’s top health official and apologize to abortion patients in the state. In an unprecedented move by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Randall Williams caved to massive public outcry and the medical community’s protest against forced pelvic exams on abortion patients. Williams admitted this mandate was not medically necessary. This comes after Planned Parenthood doctors stood up to DHSS Director Randall Williams and refused to continue forcing this invasive exam on their patients. More than 100 patients underwent this state-mandated exam before doctors said ‘enough’. Williams retracted his medically unnecessary mandate but still denied Planned Parenthood its abortion facility license. Here’s what to expect this week:
- ICYMI: Planned Parenthood calls on Gov. Parson to remove DHSS Director Randall Williams from office. Williams, an OBGYN, unethically forced medically unnecessary exams on more than 100 Missouri women before admitting they didn’t need to happen.
Statement from Dr. Colleen McNicholas, OBGYN, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region:
“It isn’t enough that the state is retracting this harmful and medically unnecessary pelvic exam. Gov. Parson needs to remove DHSS Director Randall Williams from office. Williams abused his authority as a doctor and a health department director and traumatized over 100 women who were forced to undergo this exam. He is unfit to protect the health and safety of Missourians. In fact, he’s downright dangerous and needs to be removed from office.”
Statement from Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
“This affirms the alarm we have been ringing for weeks: we are in a state of emergency. Missouri’s medically unnecessary and invasive pelvic exams are traumatic for our patients. Governor Parson and DHSS Director Randall Williams owe more than 100 patients an apology for green lighting this. As doctors, we take an oath to serve our patients and provide them with the best care possible. We applaud our physicians for taking a stand and refusing to force this unethically enforce this procedure on those seeking care — that’s what responsible medical care looks like, and for that, they should be proud.”
- Despite the state’s refusal to issue Planned Parenthood its abortion facility license, a preliminary injunction remains in place while a judge decides what’s next in this case. That means patients in Missouri can continue accessing safe, legal abortion at Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region.