Blocked: Ohio’s 24-hour Waiting Period on Abortion Care
Press Release | August 23, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio — This afternoon, a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Ohio’s 24-hour waiting period. The current state law is being challenged as unconstitutional, in violation of the new Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment that voters approved as Issue 1 in November, 2023.
Abortion Forward Executive Director Kellie Copeland said: “This ruling will literally open doors to patients needing abortion care. Today’s announcement will help alleviate delays to find appointment availability. Patients benefit from less red tape. The now-blocked law meant people had to wait longer for care because clinics have had to do everything twice.”
The 24-hour waiting period required all abortion patients to make two visits to an abortion provider, and the sole purpose was to delay patient care and create logistical barriers before receiving abortion medication or an in-clinic procedure.
Copeland continued: “Policies like 24-hour waiting periods are exceptionally harmful, especially for low-income patients. Patients are forced to find funds for a second round of transportation and child care, and frequently obtain a second days’ unpaid leave from work just to make an unnecessary second visit to a doctor’s office. In practical terms, that is an abortion BAN for many patients. Ohio voters do not want government interfering in patients’ lives and obstructing care.
“The fight for reproductive freedom and abortion access in Ohio is in the courts. This is the first of many rulings that will make abortion more accessible because of the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment. However, the responsibility of voters isn’t over yet. We need to make sure that Ohio elects pro-choice judges and justices in all our courts, including the Supreme Court of Ohio. With a new amendment comes a new emphasis on enforcement. Abortion is on the ballot in 2024.”
Pro-Choice Ohio is now Abortion Forward. In May of 2024, Pro-Choice Ohio announced a new name as we continue pursuing our mission of protecting reproductive freedom, including policies that protect abortion access. To expand and protect abortion access, we use the political process to champion policy changes, mobilize activists and voters, and endorse and support elected officials working to protect bodily autonomy.
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