Abortion

Ohio Governor Signs 20-Week Abortion Ban

Ohio becomes yet another state to ban abortion before viability with no health exceptions.

Ohio has become the latest state to ban almost all abortions after 20 weeks, even prior to viability and without any exception for the health of the mother.  Republican Governor John Kasich signed the bill into law today, making it the second major new abortion restriction to go on the books this session.

Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, released the following statement condemning the new law:

“Once again, Governor Kasich put politics over the safety of Ohio women by signing an anti-abortion bill that lacks adequate health protections.  When a pregnancy endangers a woman’s health, or there are serious complications, politicians shouldn’t interfere.  This intrusive new law will force women who face serious health problems later in their pregnancies to wait until their lives are in jeopardy before a doctor can legally terminate their pregnancy and has no exception to provide care for women carrying a fetus with a severe anomaly.  Ohio is on the fast track to becoming the most dangerous state in the country for pregnant women.”

Of course, should the Ohio “heartbeat” ban pass and get signed into law, this equally unconstitutional law will become moot.