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Name: Ricky Olivares-Vincent, Esq.
Pronouns: she/her/ella

I believe bodily autonomy is fundamental to freedom, equality, and opportunity. Protecting abortion access means ensuring that every person has the power to shape their future, safeguard their health, and live with dignity. This is about self-determination and trusting people to make the most personal decisions of their lives without political interference.

Fun fact about me: I can map out the perfect F1 pit strategy while debugging a Linux install.

On June 10, the Ohio Legislature wrapped up what is hopefully their last week of session before a very long summer break. There was a LOT going on with abortion rights, sex education, voting rights, and Medicaid in the last days and hours of the legislature… mostly bad of course.  

Here is a rundown of their final actions: 

Amended House Bill 324, that would ban the use of telemedicine for mifepristone, one of the medications used in the medication abortion protocol. The changes made to the bill make it impossible to use telemedicine for any drug approved by the FDA but required to have additional monitoring through the FDA’s “Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy” or REMS program. The REMS program exists for the FDA to use the best available scientific evidence to reduce the risk for certain medications but also ensure patient access to the medications. The FDA removed the in-person requirement from the REMS protocol for mifepristone first and 2021, an finalized that change in 2023 – finding that the evidence showed that there was no medical reason to require an in-person visit. Instead of actually addressing the real challenges Ohioans have in accessing health care services the Ohio legislature is instead pushing this bill – telling medical experts that it knows better than them how healthcare should be delivered to their patients.

Opponent testimony hearing on House Bill 347, a NEW 24-hour state imposed waiting period for abortion with required misinformation scripts for doctors to give their patients. We joined our friends at Ohio Women’s Alliance, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and medical experts in testifying against this dangerous bill. They did not vote on this bill in committee last week – but we expect them to take it up during the lame duck session this November and December. 

Passed an amended version of Sub Senate Bill 276 which now includes a requirement that schools teach the “Success Sequence” in public schools. This curriculum is pushed by conservative anti-abortion organizations and is simply just a rebranding of failed abstinence only sex-education programs. The amendment was released just hours before the committee vote. Rep Sean Brennan, the ranking member on the Education Committee said in his floor speech: “[This amendment is] a simplistic standard that fails to reflect the real struggles of so many Ohioans. The bill is dangerous, not because it promotes hard work, but because it reduces life’s complexities to a single path and does not factor in circumstances often beyond one’s control.” Brennan then shared the story of his own family that because of circumstances beyond his mother’s control forced them to not be able to follow this “sequence.” 

Passed Senate Bill 315, which became the vehicle which the legislature used to fast track changes to the Medicaid program. The bill started as a proposal to better protect SNAP (aka food stamp) recipients against their balances being stolen off their cards This is all in response to a blogger’s claims that there was rampant fraud in Ohio’s system. Hundreds of Ohioans, members of the disability rights community, their family members and loved ones, came down to the statehouse to testify against the deadly changes that were initially proposed in this bill. Fortunately, most of the worst provisions were removed from the bill before its passage, but once again the republican majority in Ohio used inaccurate information to attack programs that literally keep people in our state alive.  Rep Rachel Baker said it best during her floor speech on the bill – “No Ohioan should ever have to come to the Ohio Legislature and beg for dignity … not being harmful is the absolute bare minimum of our duties, preventing a disaster is not an achievement.”  

Attacked voting rights in TWO separate proposals: 

Senate Joint Resolution 10 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would put Ohio’s existing requirement that a voter present ID to vote in person permanently into Ohio’s Constitution. Ohio already has some of the most restrictive voter ID laws – and now republicans want to put them into the constitution – making it nearly impossible to update as technology and systems improve. Because this is a constitutional amendment Ohio voters will be voting on this proposal on their ballot in November and it will only go into effect if passed by the majority of voters. 

House Bill 472 was amended to create a confusing and disjointed process for requiring a person to produce a photo ID to vote by mail. The original bill was introduced to allow homeless Ohioans to get IDs and any documents needed to obtain a photo ID for free — a very good thing. It also got hijacked last week with horrible Republican policy. This will impact thousands of older, disabled, and rural voters across our state who rely on vote by mail to have their voices heard in our democracy.  

If you have some time today, please call Gov. Mike DeWine at 614-466-3555 and tell him to VETO House Bill 472 and Senate Bill 276 and protect Ohioans. 

Name: Autumn Francisco, LISW-S
Pronouns: she/her

Autumn is the President of the Abortion Forward board of directors!

As a social worker, I believe access to abortion is essential because sexual health and healthcare access are fundamental to wellbeing. Stigma often prevents honest conversations about sexual health from happening, which only deepens misinformation and barriers to care. Protecting abortion access is part of ensuring that folks can make informed decisions and receive the healthcare they need without shame.

Fun fact about me: I love Pilates!

On Monday, we celebrated the early exit of now-former Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Having prematurely excused himself from the primary race to be the Republican nominee for governor, Dave apparently realized he wasn’t wanted by either the citizens or his party so he quit his job. Sad!

Here’s a reminder of some the low points of Yost’s time in office, which is why he is the worst state attorney general in the country:

• During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, tried to block Ohioans from accessing time-sensitive, life-saving essential abortion care.
• Pushed courts to block abortion access in Ohio on the very day that Roe was overturned by SCOTUS in 2022. It was at Yost’s request that the 6-week abortion ban was enacted until legal action blocked it 83 days later.
• Went on FOX News to deny the actual existence of an underage rape victim in a high profile case that drew attention to the damage caused by the 6-week abortion ban. 
• In October, 2023, wrote a 13-page memo outlining his personal opinions why voters should reject Issue 1 to protect abortion access in Ohio. This document was inappropriately published by his state office on the first day of early voting, an action which multiple journalists told us was an unfair interference in an election.
• Pushed appeals in multiple legal challenges against Ohio’s now-unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions, instead of respecting the rights of Ohio voters to protect abortion access. Indeed, most of these cases are titled defendant “v. Yost.”

On Wednesday, March 25, Ohio House Republicans voted to pass House Bill 347 which would reimpose the 24-hour waiting period for abortion that has been blocked in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. 

Scroll down to see how your Ohio state representative voted.

Can you rush an emergency donation to us today to help us fight this dangerous legislation when it reaches the Ohio Senate?

We already know this bill is unconstitutional and in violation of the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment, but let’s be clear — it endangers patients. And while this bill creates undue burden on all abortion patients, those most affected by these senseless regulations are Ohio’s historically oppressed and vulnerable communities.

We can’t let them do this again!

We need you to take action to help us thwart this barbaric attack as it moves to the Ohio Senate. We must protect reproductive freedom to ensure abortion remains accessible in Ohio. 

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	House Bill 347 24-hour Waiting Period
House District 1 Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) 614-466-5343 Rep01@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 2 Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) 614-466-8010 rep02@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 3 Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) 614-466-1896 rep03@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 4 Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna) 614-466-4847 Rep04@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 5 Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg) 614-644-6002 rep05@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 6 Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) 614-644-6005 Rep06@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 7 Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) 614-466-8012 rep07@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 8 Anita Somani (D-Columbus) 614-466-5358 rep08@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 9 Munira Abdullahi (D-Columbus) 614-466-2473 Rep09@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 10 Mark Sigrist (D-Grove City) 614-466-9690 rep10@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 11 Crystal Lett (D-Columbus) 614-644-6030 rep11@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 12 Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) 614-466-1464 Rep12@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 13 Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) 614-466-5921 Rep13@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 14 Sean Brennan (D-Parma) 614-466-3485 rep14@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 15 Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted) 614-466-3100 rep15@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 16 Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) 614-466-3350 Rep16@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 17 Michael Dovilla (R-Berea) 614-466-4895 rep17@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 18 Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) 614-466-1408 rep18@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 19 Phillip Robinson (D-Solon) 614-644-6041 rep19@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 20 Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) 614-466-7954 rep20@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 21 Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) 614-644-5079 rep21@ohiohouse.gov	Not present
House District 22 Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland) 614-466-1414 rep22@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 23 Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) 614-466-7251 rep23@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 24 Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) 614-466-5786 rep24@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 25 Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) 614-466-1645 Rep25@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 26 Ashley Bryant Bailey (D-Cincinnati) 614-466-1308 rep26@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 27 Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) 614-644-6886 rep27@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 28 Karen Brownlee (D-Cincinnati) 614-466-8120 rep28@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 29 Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) 614-466-9091 Rep29@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 30 Mike Odioso (R-Cincinnati) 614-466-8258 rep30@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 31 Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) 614-644-5085 rep31@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 32 Jack Daniels (R-Akron) 614-466-1790 rep32@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 33 Veronica Sims (D-Akron) 614-644-6037 rep33@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 34 Derrick Hall (D-Akron) 614-466-1177 rep34@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 35 Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) 614-644-5088 rep35@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 36 Andrea White (R-Kettering) 614-644-6008 rep36@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 37 Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) 614-466-6504 rep37@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 38 Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) 614-466-1607 rep38@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 39 Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) 614-644-8051 rep39@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 40 Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) 614-466-2960 rep40@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 41 Erika White (D-Toledo) 614-466-1731 rep41@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 42 Elgin Rogers (D-Toledo) 614-466-1401 Rep42@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 43 Michele Grim (D-Toledo) 614-644-6017 rep43@ohiohouse.gov	Voted No
House District 44 Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) 614-466-1418 Rep44@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 45 Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) 614-466-8550 rep45@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 46 Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) 614-644-5094 rep46@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 47 Diane Mullins (R-Hamilton) 614-644-6721 rep47@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 48 Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) 614-752-2438 rep48@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 49 Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Twp.) 614-466-8030 rep49@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 50 Matthew Kishman (R-Minerva) 614-466-9078 rep50@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 51 Jodi Salvo (R-Zoar) 614-466-8035 rep51@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 52 Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) 614-644-5076 rep52@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 53 Joseph Miller (D-Amherst) 614-466-5141 rep53@ohiohouse.gov	Not present
House District 54 Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) 614-466-9628 Rep54@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 55 Michelle Teska (R-Centerville) 614-644-6023 rep55@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 56 Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) 614-644-6027 rep56@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 57 Jamie Callender (R-Concord) 614-644-6074 Rep57@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 58 Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) 614-466-9435 rep58@ohiohouse.gov	Not present
House District 59 Tex Fischer (R-Boardman) 614-466-6107 rep59@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 60 Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) 614-644-6711 rep60@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 61 Beth Lear (R-Galena) 614-466-1431 rep61@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 62 Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) 614-466-8134 rep62@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 63 Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati) 614-644-6034 rep63@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 64 Nick Santucci (R-Howland Twp.) 614-466-5441 rep64@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 65 David Thomas (R-Jefferson) 614-466-3488 Rep65@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 66 Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) 614-466-8140 rep66@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 67 Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) 614-466-0961 Rep67@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 68 Thaddeus Claggett (R-Newark) 614-466-1482 rep68@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 69 Kevin Miller (R-Newark) 614-466-2500 Rep69@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 70 Brian Lampton (R-Fairborn) 614-644-6020 rep70@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 71 Levi Dean (R-Xenia) 614-466-1470 rep71@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 72 Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) 614-466-2004 rep72@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 73 Jeff LaRe (R-Canal Winchester) 614-466-8100 rep73@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 74 Bernard Willis (R-Springfield) 614-466-2038 rep74@ohiohouse.gov	Not present
House District 75 Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) 614-466-8104 rep75@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 76 Marilyn John (R-Shelby) 614-466-5802 rep76@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 77 Meredith Craig (R-Wooster) 614-466-1474 rep77@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 78 Matt Huffman (R-Lima) 614-466-6344 rep78@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 79 Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana) 614-466-8022 rep79@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 80 Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) 614-466-8114 Rep80@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 81 James Hoops (R-Napoleon) 614-466-3760 rep81@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 82 Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) 614-644-5091 rep82@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 83 Ty Mathews (R-Findlay) 614-466-3819 rep83@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 84 Angela King (R-Celina) 614-466-9624 Rep84@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 85 Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) 614-466-1507 Rep85@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 86 Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) 614-466-8147 rep86@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 87 Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) 614-644-6265 rep87@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 88 Gary Click (R-Vickery) 614-466-1374 rep88@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 89 D. J. Swearingen (R-Huron) 614-644-6011 rep89@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 90 Justin Pizzulli (R-Franklin Furnace) 614-466-2124 rep90@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 91 Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) 614-466-3506 rep91@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 92 Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) 614-644-7928 rep92@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 93 Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) 614-466-1366 rep93@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 94 Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) 614-466-2158 rep94@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 95 Ty Moore (R-Caldwell) 614-644-8728 rep95@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 96 Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) 614-466-3735 rep96@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 97 Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) 614-644-6014 rep97@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 98 Mark Hiner (R-Howard) 614-466-2994 rep98@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes
House District 99 Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) 614-466-1405 rep99@ohiohouse.gov	Voted Yes