MOMS FOR OHIO
Reproductive Rights
We believe that reproductive decisions should be made by the patient and, where appropriate, their physician team. This includes abortion, birth control, IVF and anything else that could fall under "reproductive healthcare."
The most important action you can take right now regarding reproductive rights is to make a plan to vote in the August 8 special election. This election is costing Ohio tax payers $20M, and is a blatant attempt to thwart the efforts of Protect Choice Ohio, who collected over 100,000 signatures to put abortion rights on the ballot in November.
You can vote absentee by mail, early in person, or in person on August 8. Be sure to vote NO and preserve democracy and the idea that "one person = one vote".
June 24, 2023 --
The same day Dobbs was decided (June 24, 2022) SB23 went into effect. SB23 is essentially an abortion ban as it bans abortion after an audible heartbeat. A heartbeat can be heard at 5.5-6 weeks - only two weeks after a missed period. So in most cases, this outlaws abortion before a woman would even know they were pregnant.
In September, the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) which temporarily reinstated Ohio's previous law which allowed abortion up to 22 weeks.
Tell me more about SB23?
It made no exceptions for lethal birth defects. Meaning - if you found out you were carrying a baby who would not survive outside the womb, you'd have to carry them until delivery. Regardless of the mental or physical risk for mom.
It also made no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
There are some allowances for mother's health - they are vague and Governor DeWine refused to specifically address them. In the months when SB23 was law, physicians feared for their licenses/felony charges for interpreting it themselves. This restricted care and put patients at severe risk.