A host of left-wing groups are suing in a last-minute attempt to halt the implementation of new abortion legislation.
“Lack of access to abortion services … clearly decreases patient safety and threatens patients’ health,” a lawsuit filed by the Ohio American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says. “Continuing a pregnancy against one’s will can pose a risk to one’s physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as the stability and well-being of one’s family, including existing children.”
The ACLU is joined in the lawsuit by Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region and Women’s Med Dayton.
The groups want to stop SB 157, known as a “Born Alive” law, that prevents killing infants who are born alive during botched abortions.
“No person shall purposely take the life of a child born by attempted abortion who is alive when removed from the uterus of the pregnant woman,” that law says.
It also requires doctors to provide necessary life-saving medical care to infants who are born alive during an abortion gone wrong. Further, it bans doctors who work for state-funded hospitals and medical schools at universities from doing contract work for abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood.
But the plaintiffs say that making abortion doctors less available risks the health of pregnant women.
“Because of SB 157, many patients seeking procedural abortions will be significantly delayed in accessing this vital, time-sensitive and constitutionally protected health care until later in pregnancy, when the procedure not only carries greater health risks, but is also more expensive,” the lawsuit says.
The law is scheduled to take effect on March 23, unless the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in the case.
The ACLU responded to The Ohio Star’s comment request, but after the stated deadline. Planned Parenthood did not return a comment request.
Neither did the office of Governor Mike DeWine (R).
The Ohio Republican Party (ORP) celebrated when DeWine signed the bill into law on December 22.
“Governor DeWine and Ohio Republican legislators have been courageous advocates for the most vulnerable among us, the unborn. Every child deserves compassion and care, and the ‘Born Alive Law’ will help protect and preserve innocent life,” ORP Chairman Bob Paduchik said at the time.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Pregnant Woman” by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
