health care

06.14.18

Young Americans Support Abortion Rights, Ohio Legislators Couldn’t Care Less

By Celina Coming

Recently, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a nonpartisan, independent research organization, released a poll that shows younger Americans are more supportive of abortion rights than older Americans, and more importantly, that their views are becoming more supportive over time.

But certain members of the Ohio Legislature do not seem to care about what young people want from their elected officials.

01.22.18

Roe v. Wade Decision Celebrates 45th Anniversary!

By Lisa Wurm

Although today marks the 45^th anniversary of the monumental Roe v. Wade decision, a woman’s right to choose when, or if, to become a mother continues to be challenged and restricted. In fact, exactly one month before the 45^th anniversary of Roe v.

06.16.17

Authors D.A. Dirks and Patricia A. Relf on Reproductive Rights, Then and Now

By James Kosmatka

In anticipation of the ACLU of Ohio’s spring event series, I sat down with authors D. A. Dirks and Patricia A. Relf to discuss their latest work, To Offer Compassion: A History of the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion. The authors deconstruct one of the deepest misunderstandings within the pro-life versus pro-choice debate—that it is synonymous with religious belief versus secular humanism.

12.09.16

After Two Unconstitutional Anti-Abortion Bills Pass, We Have to Ask: What’s the Matter With Ohio’s Lame Duck Legislature?

By Lisa Wurm

It’s lame duck season in the state of Ohio and this year seems like the “super special” version. During the lame duck session, the legislature has just a few short weeks to pass laws before all bills have to start over from scratch in the new year.

12.02.16

When Legislators Play Doctor, Women Pay the Price: Sheva’s Story

By Katrice Williams

On December 13, Governor John Kasich signed the 20-week abortion ban into law. SB127 is Ohio’s most recent attempt to close all clinics and make abortion care completely inaccessible for women who need it. This ban will impact women such as Sheva Guy, who, after receiving heartbreaking news about her pregnancy, was forced to travel 300 miles for the medical care she required.

10.13.16

Look No Further than the Midwest for a Champion of Reproductive Freedom

By Dan Rogan

Illinois sets the stage for abortion access in America

Two years before the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, the ACLU of Illinois won a court victory recognizing the right to abortion. Every year since then, they have fought off attacks on reproductive freedom and, because of the ACLU of Illinois, there has been relatively unimpeded abortion laws in the state.

02.05.16

Living With HIV Should Not Be A Crime

By Steve David

If a person living with HIV in Ohio is convicted of a crime, they may automatically receive a harsher sentence just because they have HIV. These punishments are applied without regard to the facts of how HIV can be spread. Even worse, they actively hinder efforts to prevent new infections.

10.09.15

Ohio Should Not Use People with Down Syndrome in Political Fight About Abortion

By Adrienne Gavula

The ACLU supports a woman’s access to the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion, by working to ensure that every woman can make the best decision for herself and her family without undue political interference. We also strive for an America free of discrimination against people with disabilities.

09.18.15

Ohio Women’s Reproductive Rights Are in Jeopardy

By Steve David

Legislation introduced in the Ohio Statehouse will tighten the regulations on abortion in an attempt to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision Roe v. Wade (1973) that the outright banning of abortion is unconstitutional. If passed, these laws would make Ohio second only to Texas in abortion regulation.

09.11.15

Teen Health Guide Now Online

By Dan Rogan

The ACLU of Ohio has a substantial history working with adolescents, whether through our internship program, mentoring relationships, or ongoing campaigns, such as health rights.

Over a decade ago, the ACLU of Ohio launched the publication, “Your Health and the Law: A Guide for Teens,” also known as the teen health guide.

08.26.15

Improving Health Policies for Ohio’s Undocumented Immigrants

By Steve David

It’s widely acknowledged that the state of Ohio does not prioritize undocumented immigrants in policy making as much as it could.

Ohio’s undocumented immigrant population is only 95,000, relatively small compared to the national total of 11 million. Yet, an April report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research cited the state of Ohio as the worst state among the 50 and the District of Columbia for policies and laws that support the health and well-being of undocumented immigrants.

05.20.15

Cuts to Medicaid Are Costly to Women’s Health…and to Taxpayers

By Shakyra Diaz

Every now and then politicians get it right, and so it was with Ohio’s Medicaid expansion.

Following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2013, Governor Kasich expanded Medicaid coverage to families earning up to about $40,000 a year for the typical family of three.

01.06.15

Is 15 Cents High Enough?

By Kim Schuette

A new year and a new minimum wage.

On January 1, Ohio increased its hourly minimum wage from $7.95 to $8.10—85 cents higher than the federal minimum wage. The tipped wage also increased to $4.05—7 cents higher. This modest increase benefits about 277,000 working Ohioans and is estimated to put more than $36 million back into our economy reports The Columbus Dispatch.

12.03.14

What Are Ohio Legislators Cooking Up Now?

By Shakyra Diaz

If you are a member of the ACLU of Ohio, you are no doubt used to hearing from us about our work. Perhaps it is no surprise an organization known for protecting the First Amendment often exercises its own right to free speech.

10.24.14

Ebola Does Not Require Government to Choose between Safety and Freedom

By Tim Cable

Susan J. Becker is a member of the ACLU of Ohio board of directors and a volunteer attorney in the Cleveland office.

When faced with a major health threat in this country, elected and appointed officials charged with protecting public health tend to employ a false dichotomy.