Planned Parenthood Affiliates in Ohio and Partners File New Challenges to Unconstitutional Medication Abortion Restrictions

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Media Contact: Sarah Garfinkel, [email protected] | Maya McKenzie, [email protected]

CINCINNATI — Today, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the law firm WilmerHale, and Fanon Rucker of the Cochran Law Firm amended their complaint in an existing lawsuit against a ban on telehealth medication abortion services while simultaneously challenging other laws in Ohio that restrict access to this safe abortion option. These laws violate the Ohio Constitution, as amended by voters to include an explicit right to abortion on November 7, 2023. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, is pending in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Preterm-Cleveland, Women’s Med Group Professional Corporation, Dr. Sharon Liner, and Julia Quinn, MSN, BSN.

The lawsuit initially challenged a ban on telehealth medication abortion, which remains blocked by the preliminary injunction entered by the Court on April 20, 2021. The court already found in issuing a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the ban, that telehealth medication abortion services are “safe, effective health care” and a ban will delay and potentially preclude patients from accessing constitutionally protected abortion care.

Plaintiffs have also amended their complaint to include new claims under the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment, challenging a law that prevents advanced practice clinicians—such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives—from providing medication abortion, and a law that blocks providers from prescribing mifepristone—one of the two drugs most commonly used in a medication abortion–according to the best medical evidence, instead requiring them to follow the outdated drug labeling. Ohio law restricts medication abortion use to 70 days or 10 weeks of pregnancy in Ohio, despite extensive evidence that it can safely and effectively be used to terminate a pregnancy through at least 11 weeks.

Dr. Sharon Liner, Medical Director of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, released the following statement:

“We can all agree that health care needs to be more accessible, not less. More than half of the patients we serve travel significant distances to us to receive care. Unnecessary restrictions that ignore the expertise of medical professionals exacerbate the strain on patients and providers. Using telehealth to provide medication abortion allows patients to access care in their local community without having the burden of traveling long distances and/or taking additional time from their jobs and families to access the health care they need and deserve.”

Erica Wilson-Domer, President & CEO at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, released the following statement:

“The use of telehealth to provide medication abortion makes delivery of care more cost-effective, offers patients flexibility and privacy, and helps address existing health inequities for those facing the most structural barriers to abortion care, including patients with low incomes and Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.”

Lauren Blauvelt, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, released the following statement:

“The incredible work from our volunteers, donors, and storytellers allowed us to pass the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment last year, and now, we have another opportunity to make abortion access a reality for us all. We are hopeful that the Ohio courts will decide favorably to improve access to abortion care by eliminating unnecessary restrictions that delay patient care and increase its costs.”

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Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio operates 15 health centers and two surgical centers throughout Ohio, offering reproductive health care services for generations of Ohioans; supporting people of color, those with low incomes, and the LGBTQ+ community. PPGOH is committed to the health and safety of Ohio residents by doing everything they can to ensure everyone has access to the full range of reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion.
www.ppgoh.org

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying.
www.ppao.org

Serving 20 counties in southwestern Ohio and three in northern Kentucky, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region strengthens the community by providing access to high quality health care and education that empower people to make informed, private decisions about their reproductive lives and sexual health. The organization operates five health centers throughout the region. Call 513.824.7848 to discuss your abortion options with a patient navigator.
www.ppswo.org