Ohio Judge Temporarily Blocks 24-Hour Waiting Period Law Citing the Reproductive Freedom Amendment
For Immediate Release: Aug. 23, 2024
Contact:
Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region: [email protected]
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio: [email protected]
Planned Parenthood Federation of America: [email protected]
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio: [email protected]
COLUMBUS, OH - Today, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas issued a temporary injunction stopping several Ohio laws that require abortion patients to wait at least 24 hours after receiving certain state-mandated information before getting an abortion. This is the first ruling citing the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment, which was added to the state constitution on December 7, 2023.
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the law firm Covington & Burling LLP filed this lawsuit on March 29, 2024, on behalf of Preterm-Cleveland, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Women’s Med Group Professional Corporation, Northeast Ohio Women’s Center, and Dr. Catherine Romanos.
“Today’s ruling is a huge win for Ohioans and a major step toward accessible reproductive health care. The elimination of this medically unnecessary waiting period will undoubtedly ease the strain on patients, especially those traveling long distances to receive care. Reproductive health care is protected by the Ohio Constitution and this is the first step in removing decades of laws designed to make it nearly impossible for those in need to obtain an abortion. This is especially crucial as we tackle the increase in patients coming to Ohio from states where abortion care is banned. We’re elated to see the court rule in favor of patients, who are now more able to get the care they need and deserve, with fewer unnecessary obstacles,” said Nan Whaley, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region.
“The ruling today to block the mandatory 24-hour rule is an exciting and critical step toward making the will of Ohioans a reality after they overwhelmingly voted to expand reproductive freedom,” said Dr. Bhavik Kumar, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. “At Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, we are committed to ensuring all people can access high-quality, patient-centered reproductive health care, including abortion. By eliminating the medically unnecessary and stigmatizing 24-hour waiting period, which has impeded and even prevented patients from receiving care, our patients will now be able to return to their lives sooner after receiving the health care they need and deserve.”
“For nearly two decades, Ohioans have had to endure medically unnecessary restrictions like the 24-hour waiting period. Today, we see the results of our tremendous effort to pass the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment. We hope that other medically unnecessary laws will also be overturned, allowing abortion care to proceed without unnecessary and harmful delays,” said Lauren Blauvelt, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio.
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Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio operates 13 health centers, two surgical centers, and their Virtual Health Center throughout Ohio, offering reproductive health care services for generations of Ohioans; supporting people of color, those with low incomes, and the LGBTQ+ community. PPGOH is committed to the health and safety of Ohio residents by doing everything they can to ensure everyone has access to the full range of reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion.
Serving 20 counties in southwestern Ohio and three in northern Kentucky, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region strengthens the community by providing access to high quality health care and education that empower people to make informed, private decisions about their reproductive lives and sexual health. The organization operates five health centers throughout the region. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. www.ppswo.org
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying.