The sponsor Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis County, said on her website this bill "would place the same government oversight to men that the Missouri legislature routinely places on women's private reproductive health decisions."
Following adjournment, seven female House members, calling themselves "the silent seven," held a news conference on the Capitol steps. Democratic members of the group include Jill Schupp, Margo McNeil, Jeanne Kirkton, Stacey Newman and Susan Carlson representing St. Louis, Mary Still of Columbia and Independent Tracy McCreery also representing St. Louis. The representatives expressed anger by the lack of recognition during the debate, in which they said they believed they have more at ..
Opponents of the bill state, however, that the measure would restrict access to certain types of health care. Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis County, said the bill "affects only health decision that women make" and that it was perpetuating the war on women.