A controversial video recently surfaced in which the Planned Parenthood organization appears to openly discuss the sale of fetal remains in Missouri. This video caught the attention of Missouri legislators, who quickly formed the Senate Interim Committee on Sanctity of Life in order to gather information from Planned Parenthood’s officials to examine these allegations of illegal and/or immoral activity.

Although Planned Parenthood released a report stating the videos were altered by an activist group that manipulated the audio and video to reflect false information, the chair of the committee, Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, insists the investigation will continue, as information came to light about other questionable practices regarding licensing procedures for those performing medical abortions.

In a series of hearings this week, the committee heard testimony from Gail Vasterling, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, who were questioned about the operations of Planned Parenthood and the legality of a referring practitioner to a hospital when a medical abortion is deemed incomplete. In these cases, when a surgical abortion is warranted, the hospital, not the clinic, is then left to finish the procedure.

It was discovered that a practitioner employed by the University of Missouri was also on the physician roster for Planned Parenthood, and the resulting inquisition raised further questions, which will be examined as the committee hearings continue.

I believe in the sanctity of life, that all lives are precious, and that we need to pay attention to the current events that affect our lives and the lives of those we love. Corruption in any form is not acceptable, whether in business or politics, and an informed citizen can be a powerful voice for all of us.

As always, I encourage my constituents to contact me throughout the year with comments, questions or suggestions by calling my office at (573) 751-5713. To find more information about the bills I sponsor, visit www.senate.mo.gov/brown.

Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.