BALLWIN, Mo. — A group of physicians in white coats took to neighborhoods in west St. Louis County on Saturday to spread the word about reproductive rights and care.
Fifteen doctors joined Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and volunteers at the UFCW Union Hall in Ballwin to kick off Get Out the Vote canvasses.
On Nov. 5, residents in Missouri will head to the polls and face Amendment 3.
Personal stories: Two women share opposing views on Missouri Amendment 3
A "yes' vote would support overturning Missouri's abortion ban, give people the right to make and carry out decisions about their own reproductive health care, and require the government not to discriminate in federal programs or funding against medical professionals providing reproductive healthcare or those obtaining these services.
"We are truly in the middle of a pregnancy health crisis that is rooted in long structural violence and exclusion," said Dr. Bridget Huysmen, an obstetrician with Physicians for Reproductive Health.
Huysmen said a "yes" vote would allow her to support her patients with critical healthcare.
"Previable rupture of membranes, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and their ability to access that care is vital to them and their families.
The mission for the doctor who went door to door talking to people about the amendment shared about her own abortion over 15 years ago and that she was fortunate enough to travel and undergo the procedure.
"It's one of the reasons I went into this work. It's one of the things that keeps me motivated and fighting for people who don't have access," Huysmen said.
Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Priya Pal spoke passionately to the group before they left out to canvas saying, "Young women with severe heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, a health failure condition that carries a 30-fold increased risk in maternal mortality, are being forced to keep their pregnancies at the cost of their own health."
Groups like Missouri Right to Life have argued that Amendment 3 is too extreme and legalizes painful late-term abortion and removes parents' rights.
These physicians want people to understand what's at stake.
"There are too many nuisances in medicine for politicians with no medical training to enact broad restrictions to healthcare access. This is not safe for our patients," Pal said.
"While people are facing these terrible decisions, they are also facing really challenging decisions about their health care," Huysmen continued.
Next week, anti-abortion advocates will kick off a Battleground State Tour in St. Louis.
In order to pass, Amendment 3 would need to get a majority of votes in the election.