Koehler, Fowler Arthur Announce Abortion Pill Reversal Legislation

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) and Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) today announced they introduced legislation that requires abortion providers to share information regarding abortion pill reversal treatment.

The legislation requires physicians who perform or induce a chemical abortion to inform a woman prior to, or soon after, taking the first pill that it may be possible to reverse the effects of the chemical abortion.

This bill also requires the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to provide information regarding the abortion pill reversal on its website. Currently, ODH provides informational material on gestational diabetes, health care service providers, STI prevention, parent support programs, and infant mortality prevention.

“This bill is about informed consent,” said Koehler. “Women deserve to have all relevant medical information provided to them when making healthcare decisions. This bill does not require women to reverse their abortions. Instead, this legislation provides scientific and proven medical information to mothers in crisis. It will empower women to make a truly informed decision.”

The ODH website will be required to publish the following under this legislation:

• Materials designed to inform a pregnant woman of the possibility of reversing the effects of an abortion that utilizes mifepristone if she changes her mind;
• Materials regarding information on and assistance with the resources that may be available to help reverse the effects of an abortion that utilizes mifepristone.

Ten states have enacted similar legislation. In Ohio, there are currently over 33 providers, primarily OB-GYNs, administering the abortion pill reversal treatment.

“Women deserve to have access to all relevant medical information,” said Fowler Arthur. “I’m proud to sponsor this bill with Representative Koehler and hope to help women across Ohio.”

The bill now awaits a committee referral.