Ohio Abortion Providers File Lawsuit Challenging 24-Hour Waiting Period
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2024
Media Contact: Hannah Gavin, West End Strategy Team
202-765-4290, [email protected]
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Today the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the law firm Covington & Burling LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of abortion providers challenging several Ohio laws that together force abortion patients to wait a minimum of 24 hours after receiving unnecessary state-mandated information in person before they can access their desired abortion care. The lawsuit was filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Preterm-Cleveland, Women’s Med Group Professional Corporation, Northeast Ohio Women’s Center, and Dr. Catherine Romanos. The suit argues the 24-hour waiting period violates Ohio’s constitutional right to reproductive freedom passed on November 7, 2023.
Dr. Adarsh Krishen, Chief Medical Officer, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, released the following statement:
“This filing is just the first step toward making the will of Ohioans a reality after they overwhelmingly voted in support of Issue 1. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio is committed to ensuring Ohioans can access high-quality, patient-centered reproductive health care including abortion. That means we must also reduce the barriers that prevent people from accessing care. By eliminating the burdensome and unnecessary 24-hour waiting period, we will be able to better serve our patients, and they will be able to return to their lives sooner after receiving the health care they need and deserve.”
Dr. Sharon Liner, Medical Director, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, released the following statement:
“We see the effects of the 24-hour delay on patients every day. This medically unnecessary waiting period puts a strain on patients, some of whom must arrange for multiple-day stays to access abortion care and, by design, even prevents some people in need from accessing abortion entirely. This filing is the first step in removing unnecessary barriers to care, like the people of Ohio demanded when voting yes on Issue 1. Removing targeted restrictions against abortion means more agency for patients to access the health care they need when they need it based on their own informed decisions, as the Ohio Constitution now requires.”
Lauren Blauvelt, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, released the following statement:
"The 24-hour waiting period is medically unnecessary and creates significant barriers to patient care, like getting time off of work and finding childcare. Ohioans have made it clear they do not want arbitrary rules from the government that are not based in patient health and safety, and eliminating this unconstitutional restriction will allow individuals to make personal decisions without impediment.”
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Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio operates 13 health centers, two surgical centers, and their Virtual Health Center throughout Ohio, offering reproductive health care services for generations of Ohioans; supporting people of color, those with low incomes, and the LGBTQ+ community. PPGOH is committed to the health and safety of Ohio residents by doing everything they can to ensure everyone has access to the full range of reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion.
Serving 20 counties in southwestern Ohio and three in northern Kentucky, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region strengthens the community by providing access to high quality health care and education that empower people to make informed, private decisions about their reproductive lives and sexual health. The organization operates five health centers throughout the region. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. www.ppswo.org
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying.