Ohio Politicians’ Bills Are Not Based in Science

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Contact: [email protected]

Ohio Politicians’ Bills Are Not Based in Science
Extremist legislators engage in a dangerous misinformation campaign

Columbus, Ohio – At an anti-abortion press conference today, Senator Peggy Lehner and State Representative Niraj Antani are expected to share their plans to introduce yet another piece of legislation that would require medical providers to tell their patients medically inaccurate information. This time they want medical professionals to erroneously claim that medication abortion can be “reversed” with doses of progesterone, which has been widely rejected by medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

This announcement is another example of how extremist, anti-reproductive health care politicians are engaging in dangerous misinformation campaign that are aimed at blocking patients from accessing the full range of reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, and comprehensive, medically-accurate education in Ohio.

Statement from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Adarsh Krishen of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio:

“Studies consistently show that there is no scientific evidence demonstrating that treatment with progesterone results in continuation of a pregnancy. These claims are dangerous and would impose an unethical, state-sponsored experimentation on pregnant people in Ohio.

“In order to make informed health care decisions, it is critical that patients have access to medically-accurate information that is based on scientifically-proven facts. Rather than engaging in a dangerous misinformation campaign, legislators should focus on creating avenues that are known for reducing unintended pregnancy like expanding access to affordable contraception and implementing comprehensive, medically-accurate sex education programs in schools.

In addition to this announcement, State Representative Niraj Antani is also the sponsor of House Bill 90, the miseducation and misinformation bill, which seeks to implement a costly, abstinence-only instructional program in public schools that would include posting of misleading anti-abortion propaganda.

This press conference comes one week after Rep. Becker, the sponsor of House Bill 182, the insurance abortion ban, was interviewed saying he’s “not smart enough” after being asked a basic question on the function of contraception and the impact this legislation would have on coverage for private insurance plans. This bill also wrongly asserts a medically impossible treatment for ectopic pregnancies, which can be a life-threatening condition and is a leading cause for maternal mortality. This appears to be concerning pattern in Ohio – legislating things they know nothing about.

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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.