ACLU of Ohio and Reproductive Rights Law Initiative Sue Ohio Department of Health for Refusal to Provide Documents Pertaining to Toledo Abortion Clinic

Columbus, OH – Today, the ACLU of Ohio and the Reproductive Rights Law Initiative (RRLI) at Case Western Reserve University filed a lawsuit asking the Supreme Court of Ohio to order the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to comply with Ohio’s public records laws and release documents and communications pertaining to the Toledo Women’s Center after ODH unreasonably delayed in granting their January 2025 application to provide procedural abortions in addition to medication abortions.

The ACLU of Ohio and RRLI filed this mandamus action on behalf of Katie Corwin, Legal Fellow with RRLI, who, beginning on May 8, 2025, requested the Ohio Department of Health to produce communications that mention or refer to the Toledo Women’s Center. Corwin attempted to discuss the requests with ODH, but ODH stalled, delayed, and asserted baseless objections to deny the requests. Ultimately, ODH declined to produce additional documents and claimed Corwin’s requests were “legally insufficient.” The Toledo Women’s Center finally received an ambulatory surgical facility (ASF) license from ODH in August, after a seven month delay.

“Transparency between citizens and government institutions remains a cornerstone of our democratic processes. Without it, we run the risk of losing trust and accountability. Toledo Women’s Center did everything by the book in applying for a new license, and the Ohio Department of Health continued to stall and deflect our lawful requests for public information,” added Katie Corwin, Legal Fellow with the Reproductive Rights Law Initiative at Case Western Reserve University.

“It has been over half a year since the initial request was made. ODH’s ongoing delays and refusals are clearly contrary to Ohio law; so we are now asking the Ohio Supreme Court to step in and enforce the law,” added Freda Levenson, Legal Director for the ACLU of Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Health has failed to fulfill its clear legal duty by refusing to promptly provide requested public records that fall cleanly under Ohio public records laws and failing to enable broad public access. The ACLU of Ohio and RRLI urge the Supreme Court of Ohio to issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Department to comply with its statutory obligations.