Rep. Tims Condemns Bills Passed in Late Night Session Concerning Healthcare, Health Education

COLUMBUS — Ohio House Minority Whip Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) Wednesday voted “NO” on both House Bill (HB) 485, the Baby Olivia Act, and House Bill (HB) 324, misleadingly titled the Patient Protection Act.

The Patient Protection Act does anything but protect Ohio families. Instead, the bill continues to drive up healthcare costs and make medicine less accessible. It also impedes on the relationship between a woman and her doctor, directly overturning everything Ohioans stood in line to vote for in passing Issue 1.

The Baby Olivia Act’s video has been criticized by many leading women's health organizations for its inaccurate portrayal of early human development. Now, it will be required of Ohio schools to show the video to Ohio students in grades 5-12.

“Republicans stifled the peoples’ vote on Issue 1 by passing HB 324. Republicans passed a bill that will prevent you from getting cancer, heart, and other life-saving drugs by telehealth all due to their obsession to minimize abortion,” said Rep. Tims. “These bills displayed a total disregard for the wellbeing of Ohioans on part of the Republicans. Instead of working toward solutions to real problems, the House Republicans acquiesced to leadership in the federal government and gave into culture wars at the expense of their constituents.”

Ohioans have made their opinion on abortion very clear. Republicans have made it just as clear that they are not listening to the will of those they claim to represent. Ohio deserves better, and we will continue to fight for that.