Advocates for Safe, Legal Abortion in Ohio Testify Against Senate Bill 23

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Contact: [email protected]

Advocates for Safe, Legal Abortion in Ohio Testify Against Senate Bill 23
Over 30 supporters voice opposition to the dangerous six-week abortion ban

COLUMBUS, OH – Today, the Ohio Legislature held hearings on three different bills that aim to restrict reproductive rights and ban abortion access in Ohio, including the third hearing for Senate Bill 23, the six-week abortion ban. Advocates for safe, legal abortion joined the committees throughout the day to send a clear message – stop any restriction or ban to abortion.

In the morning, the Ohio Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee heard sponsor testimony for Senate Bill 27, an embryonic and fetal tissue disposal restriction, which seeks to impose funeral rituals like cremation or burial on someone how has had an abortion. In 2018, a similar law in Texas was blocked by a federal judged last year because of concerns of its constitutionality.

Both the House and Senate version of the six-week abortion ban had hearings in the afternoon. Senate Bill 23 is currently having its third hearing. Over 30 witnesses who support safe, legal abortion traveled across Ohio to testify against this legislation. By the conclusion of the hearing, committee members will have heard from medical providers, patients, faith leaders, community members, and staff, including Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy, Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin why Senate Bill 23 is harmful and should immediately be stopped.

Statement from Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:

“Senate Bill 23 would effectively outlaw abortion in Ohio by blocking access to care at six-week into a pregnancy, which is before most women know that they are pregnant. It is critical that abortion remains a safe and legal medical procedure in Ohio for a woman to consider if and when she needs it.

“It’s time to stop criminalizing reproductive health care and interfering with the personal decisions of the people of Ohio. Instead let us bring our collective time, resources, and expertise to combat Ohio’s infant and maternal health crisis. Let us invest in greater health care access and comprehensive education so that all Ohioans, no matter their race, gender, or zip code can make informed decisions about their health care and family planning.”

In total, eighty people submitted testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 23. This is just a fraction of the majority of Ohioans who support access to the full range of reproductive health care, including safe, legal abortion.

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for women’s reproductive health and women’s rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying.www.ppao.org .