Health Director Revokes Nixon From Case

The director of Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services has terminated Attorney General Jay Nixon as the lawyer for her department in Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit against the Governor's "Alternatives to Abortion" legislation.
Jane Drummond cited Nixon's "pro-abortion record and close alliance with Planned Parenthood including his receipt of financial and political support from the abortion provider."

“As you have been an outspoken supporter of abortion on demand and a political ally of Planned Parenthood who has accepted campaign contributions from this abortion provider, I did not believe I could trust you to defend me and my department vigorously,” Drummond wrote in a letter to Nixon.

Planned Parenthood is suing the state in federal court against a new anti-abortion law. The law prevents abortion providers from teaching in classrooms and makes emphasizes a program that provides counseling to pregnant women.

"In sum, House Bill 1055 is a law that is very pro-life while you are radically pro-abortion. Respectfully, this law is one you could not defend especially as you are a named defendant in the lawsuit. You will have to defend yourself as to your role as an enforcer of the law. This contrasts with the Department's role in promulgating regulations. These two roles are different and require different legal defenses," writes Drummond in the letter sent to Nixon.

"At this time, my counsel is pro bono so I will not need access to the Legal Defense Fund. This may change in the future and I will contact you if it does," the director adds.