Why It Matters
The expenditure raises questions about the use of taxpayer money for policy advocacy ahead of a decisive November vote on reproductive rights. Voters and watchdogs are scrutinizing whether state agencies should fund communications that align with specific ballot initiatives.
What Happened
As first reported by missouriindependent.com, the office of Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has launched a public service announcement regarding abortion clinic standards. The campaign, labeled a “women’s health PSA,” was created using $167,000 from the Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund, a state account typically used for consumer protection and fraud prevention efforts.
The video features Dr. Katy Liu, a Missouri-based family medicine physician, discussing safety protocols at abortion clinics. The script was developed by the attorney general’s office with assistance from the American Association of Pro-Life OB-GYNs. According to public records, the PSA was uploaded to the attorney general’s YouTube channel in mid-August and is scheduled for statewide broadcast through September 30 via the Missouri Broadcasters Association, which represents more than 350 radio and television stations.
The messaging comes shortly after Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang struck down numerous state abortion regulations as unconstitutional. That June ruling followed a 10-day trial held in Kansas City earlier this year. Hanaway’s office is currently appealing the judicial decision. Stephanie Whitaker, a spokesperson for the attorney general, stated that “As the chief legal officer for the State of Missouri, the Attorney General’s Office is concerned about the current status of women’s health laws.”, as first reported by the Missouri Independent
Notably, the PSA does not explicitly mention Amendment 3 or the upcoming November election. However, Hanaway has publicly endorsed the ballot measure. The amendment seeks to repeal the reproductive rights protections established by voters in 2024 and reinstate a near-total ban on abortion with limited exceptions. Opponents of the measure have organized under the name Stop the Ban.
Legal Context
The current legal landscape in Missouri has shifted dramatically over the last four years. In 2022, the state enacted a trigger law prohibiting most abortions following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Two years later, Missourians voted to overturn that ban, securing a constitutional right to abortion up to fetal viability.
Amendment 3 would reverse that 2024 victory. If passed, it would reinstate a ban with exceptions for medical emergencies and for survivors of rape or incest within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The measure also proposes placing a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors into the state constitution, despite such care already being prohibited under existing state law.
Prior to Judge Zhang’s June ruling, abortion access had been restricted for 18 months due to ongoing legal challenges. The restoration of medication and procedural abortion services followed the judge’s determination that many regulatory provisions were unconstitutional. Governor Mike Kehoe has endorsed Amendment 3, with his wife, Claudia Kehoe, serving as treasurer for the supporting campaign. The group backing the ban previously operated under the name Her Health, Her Future following their defeat in the 2024 election.
By the Numbers
$167,000 — cost of PSA in state funds
More than 350 — radio and TV stations served by Missouri Broadcasters Association
Sept. 30 — PSA air end date
June — Judge Jerri Zhang’s ruling striking down abortion regulations
Mid-August — PSA posted to YouTube
10 days — length of trial in January in Kansas City
18 months — duration of legal battles before June ruling restoring abortion access
2022 — year Missouri enacted trigger law banning abortion
2024 — year Missourians voted to overturn abortion ban; year reproductive rights amendment passed
12 weeks — gestational limit in Amendment 3 exceptions for rape/incest
6 — number of videos posted to attorney general’s office YouTube page
Zoom Out
Missouri is one of several states where voters have clashed with state legislators over abortion restrictions. The use of state funds for political messaging remains a contentious issue nationwide, with opponents arguing that taxpayer money should not support partisan ballot initiatives. Supporters contend that public safety concerns justify the expenditure, framing the PSA as an educational tool rather than direct campaign advertising.
The attorney general’s YouTube channel hosts six videos in total, including messages on identity theft and human trafficking. This broadens the scope of the office’s digital outreach beyond traditional legal enforcement. As other states consider similar ballot measures, Missouri’s approach may serve as a model for how state agencies can leverage public funds to shape voter perception ahead of elections.
What’s Next
The PSA will continue airing until late September, coinciding with the final months of the Amendment 3 campaign. Hanaway’s appeal of Judge Zhang’s ruling is expected to proceed through higher courts, potentially delaying any long-term changes to clinic regulations. Voters will decide the fate of the abortion ban in November, with both sides intensifying outreach efforts as election day approaches.