Editor's note. The following statement was issued by Pam Fichter, President of Missouri Right to Life.

During the 2010 Legislative Session, the Missouri Senate and House took up and passed SB 793 requiring that, 24 hours before a woman has an abortion, she be given the opportunity to view an ultrasound, receive information on the development of her baby including the ability to feel pain, alternatives to abortion, and the father's responsibility under Missouri law.

Today, Governor Nixon has allowed this legislation to become law. Per the Missouri Constitution, Governor Nixon's decision to neither veto nor sign the bill is a decision to allow SB 793 to go into effect. In essence, a non-veto is a win for women in Missouri who will now receive critical information before making an abortion decision. Because of Governor Nixon's decision to allow women to be more fully informed, we believe that more expectant mothers will choose life for their babies. Missouri Right to Life has worked hard for several years to pass this legislation and is very pleased to see it become law.

SB 793 also prohibits abortion coverage in the insurance exchanges created by the new federal health care reform legislation. We can't stop our federal tax dollars from paying for abortion outside of Missouri, but this legislation will help prevent that from happening in Missouri.

We thank Governor Nixon and the Senate and House members who supported this life-saving legislation.

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