Planned Parenthood Denounces Sweeping Abortion Bans in Ohio

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 14, 2018

Contact: [email protected]

Planned Parenthood Denounces Sweeping Abortion Bans in Ohio

Columbus, Ohio -- In the middle of the night, the Ohio legislature passed two dangerous and unconstitutional abortion bans — outlawing both abortion six weeks into pregnancy and the safest, most common method of second trimester abortion. These dangerous restrictions could effectively ban abortion in Ohio. The six-week abortion ban in effect eliminates abortion because most women don’t even know they’re pregnant at six weeks. Furthermore, the method ban challenges a doctor’s ability to provide the best options for their patients by criminalizing doctors for doing their job.

With Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court and Trump in the White House, it’s clear that emboldened anti-abortion politicians are pursuing dangerous and radical policies in an attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade and ban abortion entirely.

Statement from Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“In the last seven years, over 400 laws have passed that restrict abortion care, despite what we know from medicine and science to be true: Abortion is a safe, standard medical procedure. Ohio’s six-week abortion ban and method ban are dangerous policies that could endanger women’s lives. I know firsthand just how important it is for doctors to have the ability to provide the care their patients want and need. As a doctor, I trust my patients to make their own health care decisions, and every doctor should have the right to provide care for our patients without the threat of prison time. We at Planned Parenthood will always fight to ensure patients have access to safe, legal abortion in Ohio and across the country.”

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

“Today, Ohio politicians have made a national disgrace of our state. Let’s be clear — the abortion bans are equally extreme, take aim at Ohioans and families, and punish doctors for caring for their patients. We demand Governor Kasich stop both of these dangerous policies in their tracks. Every Ohioan deserves the right to control their own body, life, and future without politicians getting in the way. We will stand against these unconstitutional attacks on Ohioans and will use everything at our disposal to protect their access to safe, legal abortion.”

The courts have made it clear that banning abortion before viability is unconstitutional. Similar six-week and 15-week abortion bans in North Dakota, Iowa, Mississippi have all been struck down by the courts for violating the precedent created by Roe v. Wade and reaffirmed in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. Furthermore, in every state where politicians have passed similar method bans, the courts have intervened and ruled them unconstitutional. Yet the Ohio legislature is ignoring well-settled law and putting women and doctors at risk in the process. These anti-abortion politicians have made clear their true motive — to ban abortion despite overwhelming public support for a woman’s right to decide if and when to become a parent.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.