Statement on total abortion ban bill

Press Release | June 18, 2025

Abortion Forward Executive Director Kellie Copeland released the following statement in response to a new bill that would ban all abortion and IVF in Ohio, as well as many forms of contraception and miscarriage management:

“Voters in Ohio sent a clear message in 2023 we must be free to make our own decisions, define our own path in life, and safely care for our families and communities. Deciding if, when, or how to become a parent is one of the most important decisions we make. These decisions should be up to each individual Ohioan, not government.

“These out-of-touch anti-abortion extremists want to give legal rights to embryos and fetuses. This would impact people’s ability to make decisions for their lives, health, and well-being, including banning all abortion care, banning some types of birth control, and denying IVF treatment that helps people build their families. Bills like this embolden law enforcement to surveil and investigate people for their actions during pregnancy – families and loved ones could be targeted by law enforcement for supporting someone who is pregnant. Black people, other people of color and immigrants are most likely to be targeted, questioned, and harmed by policies like this.

“Ohioans spoke loud and clear that they want their access to reproductive healthcare protected, not attacked when they passed the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment in 2023 and will continue to fight to make sure it is fully implemented.”