Proposed bill would delay abortion one day

The Missouri Legislature, with its Republican majority in both houses, is poised to take action on abortion laws this session.

House Speaker Catherine Hanaway is leading the effort to require a one-day wait between a doctor's visit and an abortion.

Last year, Democratic House Speaker Jim Kreider killed a similar bill by refusing to refer it to a committee.

Current law requires women to sign a document saying they are giving informed consent to have an abortion, and doctors are required to tell women about the risks associated with a particular procedure and alternatives to abortion.

No matter what side a person is on in the abortion debate, a medical procedure with as many health and moral implications as an abortion deserves thoughtful consideration. A day's wait isn't too much to ask considering that some women have been rendered infertile or had other health complications after having an abortion.

The proposal also deserves thoughtful consideration from our state legislators this year.