What you need to know about abortion access in Ohio during COVID-19:
Are Ohio abortion clinics open for patients? Yes. Find a list of clinic websites at https://prochoiceohio.org/Clinics/. Please call the clinic for up-to-date information on scheduling an appointment.
What will happen next in the courts? The next steps are up to Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost and the state of Ohio. This temporary injunction is in place for 14 days and can be extended if needed. As long as it is in effect, the clinics can stay open. AG Yost has pledged to continue the fight to block access to abortion care. This could take multiple forms, and we will keep folks updated as the court process progresses.
Are Ohio’s abortion clinics complying with orders from Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health? Yes. In March 2020, the Ohio Department of Health issued a public health order stating that “non-essential” surgeries and medical procedures must be canceled and rescheduled. The order listed specific criteria for what would be considered “essential” health care under that order. Abortion care is essential health care. Prior to the Ohio Department of Health’s order, abortion clinics in Ohio had already instituted detailed screening processes for staff and patients. Clinics had put procedures into place to preserve personal protective equipment and to protect the health of both their staff and their patients.
Is there help available to pay for my abortion or to help me get to a clinic? If you are unable to pay for the abortion you need, or if you are struggling to get to a clinic or pay for travel expenses, please contact the abortion clinic nearest to you as soon as possible. We also encourage you to contact Women Have Options – Ohio by visiting http://www.womenhaveoptions.org/help for further information about financial assistance.
What about emergency contraception? Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, including sexual assault or a condom failure. Emergency contraception is NOT the same as medication abortion. Emergency contraception can be obtained at Planned Parenthood and other health centers, and on the shelf at most drug and grocery stores. Women Have Options - Ohio can also help connect you to emergency contraception. There are a few types of emergency contraception, and some work better than others. The most common form of emergency contraception — Plan B — must be taken within three days after unprotected sex. You can obtain emergency contraception now to have on hand in case you or a friend need it later.
What about telemedicine? Some Ohio abortion clinics may also use telemedicine to provide medication abortion care to their patients who are unable to travel to large cities. Telemedicine abortion allows for a patient to visit a health care facility in their own area and speak with a physician in another Ohio city. The patient and physician still complete one face-to-face visit as required by Ohio law, and their hometown doctor is able to provide appropriate patient monitoring and after-care, if needed. Telemedicine abortion is safe, responsible, and should not be banned through pending Senate Bill 260. Contact your representative in the Ohio House and tell them to put a stop to all abortion restriction bills, including Senate Bill 260.
Didn’t the Ohio Attorney General order abortion clinics to close? During the weekend of March 21, 2020 in a politically-motivated move NOT based in health care best practices, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter to Ohio’s abortion providers instructing them to stop providing non-essential abortion care under the order to stop all “non-essential” surgeries and medical procedures. Abortion care is a time-sensitive medical situation that cannot be significantly delayed without profound consequences. Ohio’s abortion clinics are serving patients in compliance with the Ohio Department of Health guidelines. Attorney General Dave Yost and anti-abortion groups should not be exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to further his agenda to close Ohio’s abortion clinics.