An Ohio law banning almost all abortions after six weeks has come into force. A lawsuit has been filed to quash, and a complete ban on abortion is in the works.
Let’s find out what it all means in this week’s episode of Ohio Politics Explained.
It’s a podcast from the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau where you’ll get on the state’s political news in 15 minutes or less. This week, host Anna Staver was joined by journalist Laura Bischoff.
Abortions in Ohio are no longer allowed once fetal cardiac activity is detected. This happens about six weeks of gestation or two weeks from the first day of a missed period.
The law has no exemption for violation or mental health complications. The only reason an abortion can be performed after six weeks in Ohio is a physical complication that comes to life like Preeclampsia.
2) The legality of abortion by mail
Online websites such as Plan C and Access Aid offer to connect those seeking medication abortions with clinics outside their state or country that will send medications to a patient’s home.
Getting an abortion using telehealth or an online pharmacy is not legal in Ohio, but the law does not penalize even people who seek illegal abortions.
Advocates of access to abortion say these self-managed abortions can be safe, but opponents strongly agree.
Patients seeking legal abortion after six weeks will have to travel to another state or out of the country.
3) The case in the state supreme court
Lawyers for Ohio abortion providers have sued in state court to restore access to abortion for up to 22 weeks.
They argued in court documents to the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday that the new six-week ban violates the state constitution, which goes beyond the U.S. Constitution in protecting health care choices. .
4) Ohio Constitution Amendment
Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, the Democratic candidate for governor, wants Ohioans to put access to abortion on the ballot until 2023.
The move will bypass the Republican-controlled legislature and put the protection of the procedure into the state constitution.
Voting measures require millions of dollars for the campaign and more than 450,000 signatures valid from voters in 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
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