Rep. Lightbody condemns anti-abortion HB 378 which promotes medical misinformation

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) issued a statement after the House Health Committee held the first hearing on House Bill (HB) 378, the latest Republican anti-abortion bill that would require doctors to share medically inaccurate information about procedures to ‘reverse’ abortions, or face penalties if they refuse. Opponents say HB 378 is a part of a larger national attack on reproductive rights, as Ohio Republican state lawmakers also introduced legislation to completely ban abortion in Ohio in 2021.

“I am very concerned that this bill would require physicians to share information about a potential procedure that is not supported by science.  There is no rigorous scientific evidence documenting the safety and effectiveness of administering a high dose of progesterone as a ‘reversal’ treatment for a medication abortion.  The only known random assigned study was halted due to the dangerous and life-threatening complications women in the study experienced.  I would far rather be working on bills to increase education for women and men on birth control measures that prevent the unplanned pregnancies in the first place.  Forcing doctors to give misinformation compromises patient care, erodes doctor-patient relationships and perpetuates abortion stigma. I vehemently oppose bills like these that subject women and pregnant people to experimentation and deny them the best medical care they deserve,” said Rep. Lightbody.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes legislative mandates on “abortion reversal”  which are not supported by science.

 HB 378 now awaits further hearings in the House Health Committee.