UPDATE: As reported in the Kansas City Star on June 22, "DHSS director Dr. Randall Williams told reporters Friday that the agency would issue an emergency rule allowing pelvic exams closer to the time of the abortion if the clinic believes that it is best for the patient." [1]

That’s one demand granted, and several more to go.

Dr. Randall W. Williams needs to immediately resign from his role as director of Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services.

Randall W. Williams is an obstetrician and gynecologist, and he is more than aware that requiring medically unnecessary invasive pelvic exams is unethical and depraved. Under Dr. Williams’ direction, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has become an instrument of abuse that forces doctors to violate medical ethics so the state could humiliate and assault women seeking abortions.

According to Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a physician at Missouri’s only abortion clinic, more than 100 patients endured medically unnecessary invasive pelvic exams since the provider reluctantly began complying with the DHSS rule in May. [1]

Dr. Randall W. Williams is a disgrace, and reversing course in response to public outrage does not address the fact that his directive was a grotesque abuse of power.

Reproaction demands the immediate resignation of Dr. Randall W. Williams from Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services.

Are you with us? Add your name now.

Source:

1.     https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article231835048.html

The Rachel Maddow Show recently covered a sick twist in the fight for abortion access raging in Missouri – state mandated assault. [1]

Missouri now requires medically unnecessary pelvic exams before a person can receive an abortion. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, is behind the mandate that people seeking abortions must endure medically unnecessary invasive pelvic exams. Join us as we demand his resignation.

Under Dr. Williams direction, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has become an instrument of abuse that forces doctors to violate medical ethics so the state can humiliate and assault women seeking abortions.

We will not tolerate this grotesque abuse of power.

Reproaction joins our colleagues across the reproductive health, rights and justice movement to demand the immediate resignation of Dr. Randall W. Williams, and we call upon Governor Parson to immediately direct Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services to rescind the mandate that doctors perform medically unnecessary invasive pelvic exams prior to abortions.

Are you with us? Add your name now.

Source:

1.   https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/06/08/explaining-missouri-pre-abortion-exam-rachel-maddow-called-state-sanctioned-sexual-assault/