Ohio abortion law challenged by ACLU, Planned Parenthood

On Feb 26, 2022

Protesters from both sides of the abortion debate demonstrated in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse in downtown Cincinnati. On Feb. 25, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit to block Senate Bill 157 from taking effect.

Abortion-rights groups filed a lawsuit Friday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court to block a new law that they say would threaten abortion clinics in southwest Ohio.

The ACLU of Ohio and Planned Parenthood Federation of America is seeking a restraining order and then a preliminary injunction on behalf of Women’s Med of Dayton.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 157 into law in December and takes effect in March but the plaintiffs argue that it’s already being enforced.

Under current law, clinics must have a written transfer agreement with a local hospital. Absent that, the clinics can get a variance approved by the Ohio Department of Health if they have a consulting physician to provide back-up coverage.

The new law blocks doctors who work for public hospitals or universities from signing on as consulting physicians for abortion clinics. The lawsuit says the new restrictions limit the pool of potential back up physicians.

Women’s Med Dayton and Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio in Mount Auburn both operate under variances.

“Barring abortion providers from contracting with highly qualified physicians is the opposite of good patient care. Ohioans deserve better,” said Kersha Deibel of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region.