Columbus, Ohio – Ohioans now have a constitutional right to abortion, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to reproductive rights. However, for the average patient seeking an abortion in Ohio, not much has changed. Abortion providers in the state continue to face restrictions, such as a ban on abortions after 22 weeks and a mandatory 24-hour waiting period. The use of telemedicine for abortions is also being disputed in court.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Adarsh Krishen, acknowledges that lifting the severe abortion restrictions in Ohio will take time and energy. Ohio’s abortion clinics have sued to block a ban on most abortions, which has been on hold since September 2022. The law prohibits doctors from performing abortions after cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks into pregnancy.
Legal challenges surrounding Ohio’s abortion laws are ongoing, and the fate of these laws will be determined by Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christian Jenkins by May 20. Meanwhile, Ohio Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization, maintains that they are unaware of any impact caused by the November 2023 ballot initiative.
While Ohio’s GOP-controlled Legislature has not passed any new abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Republican lawmakers also appear reluctant to roll back newly unconstitutional laws. Democratic lawmakers have introduced bills to repeal various abortion bans and restrictions, but these proposals have not gained traction.
Since the passage of Issue 1, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region has observed an increase in appointments from out-of-state patients. However, the passage of Issue 1 did not immediately eliminate Ohio’s current abortion restrictions. Advocates are hopeful that the constitutional protection will provide a platform for future challenges to existing state restrictions.
Beyond Ohio, there is a looming fight over a national abortion ban. Former President Donald Trump supports a 16-week ban with exceptions, while President Joe Biden, although not a strong advocate for abortion, believes that the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade was correct. The battle for reproductive rights is far from over, and advocates are committed to protecting the constitutional guarantee of access to abortion services.
Overall, the constitutional amendment in Ohio represents a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights. However, it is clear that significant legal battles lie ahead, both in Ohio and across the nation, as the fight for abortion access continues.