Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Denounces Ohio Senate Passage of House Bill 258, the Six-Week Abortion Ban

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ADVOCATES OF OHIO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 12, 2018
CONTACT: [email protected]

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Denounces Ohio Senate Passage of House Bill 258, the Six-Week Abortion Ban

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Senate just passed House Bill 258, the six-week abortion ban. This bill is undoubtedly unconstitutional. Similar legislation has been struck down as unconstitutional in every state where it has been passed into law. This bill’s passage is a clear attempt by extremist politicians to restrict access to safe and legal abortion in Ohio. A similar bill passed the Ohio General Assembly in 2016 but was vetoed by Governor John Kasich.

This legislation would prevent Ohioans from accessing abortion care as early as six weeks into pregnancy, which is before most people even know they are pregnant. If enacted, this bill would take away a patient’s right to make their own medical decisions before they would have known they had one to make. This dangerous legislation seeks to criminalize physicians for providing essential care to patients who need it most, laying the groundwork for making Ohio one of the most hostile states in the country for reproductive rights and access to safe, legal abortion.

Statement from Iris E. Harvey, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio:

“This is another attempt by extremist politicians to limit access to safe and legal abortion in Ohio. This dangerous bill would take away a woman’s right to make personal health care decisions before she even knows she’s pregnant.

“Simply put, this bill is unsafe, unnecessary, and unconstitutional. Instead of focusing on ideologically driven legislation, the Ohio legislators should be exploring new ways to increase access to health care, address the alarming infant and maternal mortality rates, and ensure all women, men, and young people in Ohio have the same opportunities to a safe and healthy future.

“Planned Parenthood will continue to do everything in our power to protect reproductive rights, access to safe and legal abortion, and will continue stand tall for those the legislature would silence.”

Reproductive rights supporters will be calling on Governor Kasich to uphold his commitment to veto House Bill 258 and stop Senate Bill 145, the abortion method ban, which will likely be voted out of the Ohio House tomorrow afternoon.

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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