House Democrats Continue to Stand Up for Ohioans' Constitutional Right to Reproductive Healthcare

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Anita Somani (D-Dublin), Beth Liston (D-Dublin), Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), and Michele Grim (D-Toledo) today held a press conference to discuss the continued attacks against Ohioans reproductive healthcare and re-emphasized House Democrats’ ongoing effort in protecting Ohioans fundamental rights.

“With the possibility of a national abortion ban and the failure of protection for IVF and contraception at the congressional level it is even more imperative that we protect the will of the voters here in Ohio and continue to work on improving maternal and infant mortality through common sense legislation,” said Rep. Somani, M.D.

House Democrats have introduced several bills to guarantee Ohioans’ right to reproductive healthcare. The Reproductive Care Act (House Bill 343), introduced by Reps. Somani and Liston, would repeal existing statutes related to abortion care, such as mandatory 24-hour waiting periods, transfer agreements, and TRAP laws. It will also add protections related to patients and providers including data privacy, nondiscrimination, along with civil and criminal protections for evidence-based care.

“It remains unclear what the extremists at the Statehouse will do to further restrict women’s healthcare. What is clear: Ohioans sent a strong message - reproductive health choices belong to women, who with their families, physicians, and faith - can decide for themselves. We intend to make sure that message is heard and will continue to fight to make it a reality,” said Rep. Liston, M.D. PhD.

Reps. Somani and Brown Piccolantonio have introduced HB 502, legislation that protects assisted reproduction care for Ohioans. 

"Thanks to Assistive Reproductive Technology, parents are able to access the care they need in order to start or grow their families. Though the percentage is small, the influence that IVF treatment provides is immeasurable. HB 502 would re-instill confidence for those currently in the midst of the IVF process and to ensure it is available in the future," said Rep. Brown Piccolantonio.

Reps. Somani and Grim introduced HB 565 in May of 2024. HB 565 would require that crisis pregnancy centers provide medically accurate care and report how they use their state issued funds back to the Governor, General Assembly, and Ohio Department of Health.

“In the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, we believe that all Ohioans, regardless of their beliefs or where they go to access healthcare, should have the dignity of knowing all their options, rather than being given medical misinformation that could put them, or their baby in harm's way. House Bill 565 would guarantee a certain level of medically accurate care for all Ohioans,” said Rep. Grim. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture from Tuesday’s Reproductive Rights Press Conference is attached to this press release. Courtesy of: House Democrats.