Reps. Somani, Liston Introduce Reproductive Care Act to Remove Abortion Limitations, Protect Patients and Providers
COLUMBUS – State Reps. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) and Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today held a press conference to discuss The Reproductive Care Act, legislation they will soon be introducing. The bill’s goal is to reduce barriers to accessing abortion and reproductive healthcare.
“For years, the extreme majorities in Ohio’s state legislature have been making it harder for patients to access abortion care and for providers to provide the proper, comprehensive care their patients need,” said Rep. Somani. “Protecting women’s reproductive rights happens when we work on reducing barriers to care. We will continue to work to ensure patients and providers are protected.”
The legislation will 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.
“The Reproductive Care Act is the first step in this multifaceted process to remove barriers to reproductive health care that exist in Ohio. These steps will be critical in addressing some of our real problems - including our abysmal infant and maternal mortality rates. Hopefully we can come all together to support pregnant women and ensure infants and families have the needed resources to thrive.” said Rep. Liston.
Physicians and abortion rights advocates who have been fighting these abortion restrictions for over a decade and were instrumental in the passage of Issue 1, were also in attendance.
The Reproductive Care Act will soon be sent out to members before being formally delivered to the House Clerk’s Office, where it will then wait for a bill number and an assignment to a committee.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A photo from the press conference and a policy fact sheet for The Reproductive Care Act has been attached to this press release