FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Thursday, April 7, 2022          PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Wednesday, April 6, 2022          PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Wednesday, April 6, 2022          PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Wednesday, April 6, 2022          PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Wednesday, March 30, 2022             PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

Diverse Group of New Leaders Set to Help Shape a Post-Roe Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Friday, March 25, 2022             PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

For Immediate Release

Date: March 15, 2022

Contact: Mary Parker

Phone: 614-597-0099 ext. 303

Columbus, Ohio—Today, Representative Jean Schmidt introduced House Bill 598. This piece of legislation is a companion bill to Senate Bill 123, the Human Life Protection Act, which was introduced by Senators Kristina Roegner and Sandra O’Brien.

This bill would outlaw abortion in the state of Ohio, except those medically necessary to save the life of the mother. The legislation would not take effect until the Supreme Court issues a decision that overturns Roe v. Wade and allows states to prohibit abortion.

“With the U.S. Supreme Court hearing the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, there is renewed hope that states will once again be able to outlaw abortion and protect the most vulnerable in our society,” said Schmidt. “I’ve been dedicated to protecting unborn children my whole career. This legislation will ensure that Ohio is prepared to take action when the opportunity arrives.”

Ohio Right to Life fully supports House Bill 598. “With a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court coming as early as this June, we are doing everything possible to prepare for a post-Roe Ohio," said Mary Parker, Director of Legislative Affairs at Ohio Right to Life. "This companion bill will help expedite the legislative process to get the bill to Governor Mike DeWine. Additionally, we are working with our chapters and other pro-life organizations to empower women and families to choose life when faced with a crisis pregnancy.”

Similar legislation has been passed in 13 other states, including neighboring Kentucky.

The Ohio House’s version of the Human Life Protection Act awaits committee referral.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            CONTACT: Mike Gonidakis 
DATE: Tuesday, March 8, 2022                                                                       PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 300

COLUMBUS, Ohio– Today, the Ohio Right to Life Board of Directors and its affiliated political action committee (PAC) announced its first round of endorsements for the May 2022 primary election. The PAC has endorsed candidates for Ohio’s five statewide constitutional offices and the Ohio Supreme Court.

“The Ohio Right to Life PAC is proud to strongly recommend Justice Sharon Kennedy, Justice Pat DeWine, and Justice Pat Fisher for Ohio’s Supreme Court,” said Marshal Pitchford, Chairman of the Ohio Right to Life PAC. “It is crucial for the pro-life movement that we have a Supreme Court that will ensure that the fundamental right to life of every person is upheld. Simply put, we must get these three justices re-elected to protect life in our state.”

The Ohio Right to Life PAC also announced endorsements for the following statewide races:

Governor/Lieutenant Governor – Mike DeWine/Jon Husted

Secretary of State – Frank LaRose

Attorney General – Dave Yost

Auditor of State – Keith Faber

Treasurer of State – Robert Sprague

“With Roe v. Wade on the ropes, the importance of re-electing strong, pro-life leaders in all levels of government is more urgent than ever before,” said Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life. “It is imperative for voters in Ohio to elect these strong pro-life leaders who will serve justly and protect the most vulnerable among us. Elections have consequences, and we are incredibly aware of the importance of these elections for the continued progress of the pro-life movement in Ohio.”

“In light of this urgency to protect life,” said Gonidakis, “the Ohio Right to Life PAC encourages every pro-life Ohioan to turnout in May and use their vote to be a voice for the voiceless. We will work to elect these strong pro-life men and women and the rest of our inspiring pro-life candidates who promote and protect life across our great state.”

The Ohio Right to Life PAC will announce additional endorsements for the contested US Senate, congressional and statehouse primaries once the redistricting process is complete.

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For Immediate Release

Date: March 1, 2022

Contact: Mary Parker

Phone: 614-547-0099 ext. 303

COLUMBUS - State Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) has introduced The Ohio Chemical Abortion Safety Act (SB 304), to prevent the risky chemical abortion procedure from becoming even more dangerous and deadly. Chemical abortion is already the most common method of abortion in Ohio, and it is four times more likely than surgical abortion to cause a number of severe side effects.  Chemical abortion-related emergency room visits have jumped by 500% from 2002 to 2015. 

Despite the risks for women’s health, these drugs and online consultations are much cheaper for Planned Parenthood than running surgical clinics. In order to help the abortion industry expand its profit margins, the Biden administration is poised to revoke current FDA safety regulations on abortion-inducing drugs. Without these safety standards, abortion providers will be able to diagnose and issue prescriptions to patients online, over the phone, or at universities and use the mail to send chemical abortion pills to patients. 

"That's why we need this bill, to put current federal safeguards into our state law," explained Huffman. "Otherwise, these extremely dangerous chemicals could become entirely unregulated. It is vital we update Ohio law to regulate chemical abortions and protect women’s lives and health." 

"Peer-reviewed studies from the United States and Europe show that chemical abortion poses a serious risk to women's health and future fertility," said Mary Parker, Director of Legislative Affairs for Ohio Right to Life. "Ohio law needs to be updated to ensure that women receive proper medical care rather than abandoning them to dangerous and unsupervised at-home abortions."

Huffman's bill would also require: 

• An in-person examination before a chemical abortion. 
• Verification that gestational age is under 10 weeks. 
• An ultrasound to rule out ectopic pregnancy. 
• Testing to protect a woman’s future fertility. 
• A check of medical history for adverse reaction to an abortion pill. 
• A follow-up examination to check for complications. 
• A state certification program for doctors and distributors of abortion-inducing drugs.

Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 40 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio's oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.

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