COLUMBUS, OH — Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today to overturn Roe v. Wade and end the federal constitutional right to abortion, Judge Barrett of the Southern District U.S. Federal Court granted Gov. DeWine's request to allow a previously blocked abortion ban to take effect. Abortion after approximately six weeks of pregnancy is now banned across the state, meaning Ohio patients seeking this care will be forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to access abortion, carry pregnancies to terms against their will, or seek care outside the medical system. This ban has been blocked for nearly three years.
Earlier today, the ACLU, ACLU of Ohio, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America announced plans to fight back by suing in state court to ensure that Ohioans are able to exercise their rights protected by the Ohio Constitution. The reproductive rights organizations intend to file a lawsuit on behalf of Ohio’s abortion providers to protect the continuity of abortion care in our state under the Ohio Constitution.
Joint statement from leaders from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, ACLU, and ACLU of Ohio:
“The ramifications of today’s Supreme Court decision have been swift, devastating, and real. The state’s request to vacate an injunction that blocked a 2019 abortion ban has been granted, and abortion after six weeks is now banned across the state of Ohio. Together, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure people can get the care they need. While we work to get patients the tools, resources, and information to get out of state to access abortion if they can, we plan to quickly file a legal challenge in state court. The fight is not over. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that people can control their own medical decisions.”
