Columbus — The annual Induced Abortions in Ohio report was released by the state health department today. In 2017, a total of 20,893 abortions were performed in Ohio. This is an increase of 221 procedures over the number in 2016, which was 20,672.
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland said: “It is fitting that this report, which shows 20,893 people need and receive abortion care in Ohio annually, was released today. The outcome of the Kavanaugh nomination and Ohio’s gubernatorial election will determine whether abortion is criminalized in Ohio in the next year. If abortion is outlawed, 20,893 people would be forced to continue pregnancies against their will, or face criminal penalties for seeking the abortion care they need. Everyone deserves access to abortion without shame, stigma, or threat of criminal prosecution.
“What happens in the next few weeks will determine what abortion access looks like in Ohio. Will this report say that no one was able to access the care they needed in Ohio? Will it include the number of people incarcerated for attempting to get or provide abortion care? This is likely the case if Mike DeWine becomes Ohio’s next governor. Mike DeWine has pledged to sign legislation that would ban abortion in our state.
That is why it is critically important that pro-choice voters turn out to vote for Rich Cordray on November 6th. He will block any legislative attempt to ban or criminalize abortion because Rich Cordray trusts women to make their own reproductive health care decisions.”
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