I am a Missouri licensed clinical social worker working in sexual and reproductive health care, and I鈥檓 also a woman with a health condition that makes it more likely for me to have a high-risk pregnancy. Because of my work and my personal circumstances, I鈥檓 acutely aware of how Missouri鈥檚 current total abortion ban could put my health or life at risk once I become pregnant, and it is terrifying.
We see it all over the news: Women are dying because they are being denied care, or they have to wait as their medical condition worsens before being allowed treatment.
Over the past decade, I鈥檝e had the privilege of witnessing the compassion, knowledge, and support health care providers offer patients when they鈥檙e weighing important medical decisions.
Politicians do not belong as part of this conversation. There is no scenario in which the government should dictate what happens in a doctor鈥檚 office.
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This is why I support overturning Missouri鈥檚 total abortion ban. The current ban does not allow exceptions for rape or incest. If you believe health care decisions should be trusted to patients and their doctors, not politicians, vote 鈥測es鈥 on Amendment 3 on Nov. 5.
Olivia Berridge
叠补濒濒飞颈苍听
The Missouri Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment, or Amendment 3, will be on Missouri's Nov. 5 ballot this year. The proposal recently defeated a court challenge by anti-abortion opponents. Video by Jenna Jones.
