COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — Abortion doctors are now performing same-day abortions after a Franklin County judge on Friday blocked a state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period.
Judge David Young ruled that the reproductive law amendment passed by Ohio voters in November makes the mandatory 24-hour waiting period unconstitutional.
“The 24-hour wait really had a tremendous impact not only on patients, but on providers who perform the abortion and abortion funds that had to provide access to these patients despite these restrictions – so much really changed with this one ruling,” said Jaime Miracle, deputy director of Abortion Forward.
Miracle said Preterm in Cleveland and other clinics already perform one-visit abortions. She said clinics have been able to reschedule appointments to make it easier for patients to get an abortion.
“For patients in our state, this was a truly life-changing day: They didn’t have to drive to the clinic twice, they didn’t have to listen to or be given medically inaccurate and stigmatizing information from a doctor, they didn’t have to pay for child care twice, they didn’t have to drive to the clinic twice, and they didn’t have to take two days off from work,” Miracle said.
Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, said he was saddened but not surprised.
“A 24-hour wait is good for the woman. And of course, it gives a woman time to think about a life-or-death decision – this is not knee surgery or laser eye surgery – but a life-or-death decision for her child. And when you give her the opportunity to stop and think, more women choose life,” Gonidakis said.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of California and the University of North Carolina and published in 2021 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology showed that most women who wanted an abortion were sure of their decision and waiting times did not change that.
Gonidakis said the 24-hour waiting period offers women a certain level of security.
“It’s a tragedy for the women because who checks whether they are victims of human trafficking? Who checks whether they are victims of a violent crime or what their living conditions are when they are just being rushed through the assembly line to get $500 or $1,000 for an abortion?” Gonidakis asked.
The Ohio Attorney General’s office plans to appeal the decision. But even if the next court changes course, it likely won’t happen before the November election. And with lawsuits over abortion legislation still pending in court following the amendment’s passage last fall, both sides in the abortion dispute said they are committed to the upcoming Ohio Supreme Court elections, where the court’s majority could be decided. Four of the seven current justices are Republicans and have publicly expressed their anti-abortion views in the past.
Ohio Right to Life has endorsed the three Republicans running for justice this year. Abortion Forward will announce its endorsements next week and is expected to support the Democratic candidates.
