COLUMBUS - Peppered throughout his letter to his "Fellow Pro-Life Ohioans," Senate President Tom Niehaus reminds his readers of all the anti-woman bills that the current state legislature has passed, "more than any previous General Assembly in state history."
It is because of this anti-woman bravado that Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio is suspicious about reports that the "heartbeat bill" is dead.
"Notwithstanding news reports and headlines, Sen. Niehaus' letter never once declares the 'heartbeat bill' to be dead," said Gary Dougherty, State Legislative Director for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio. "His plea that anti-choice groups come to a consensus on the bill signals his clear desire to end legal access to all safe abortion care."
Because Faith2Action and Ohio Right to Life are so heavily invested in their positions for and against the "heartbeat bill," such a consensus may be unlikely. However, Dougherty asserts that is the reason for continued vigilance.
"We cannot, and will not, be lulled to sleep by claims that the 'heartbeat bill' is dead. This legislature has become a willing partner in the War on Women and cannot be trusted to preserve access to women's health care options. Whether the 'heartbeat bill' remains an abortion ban bill or becomes an informed consent bill or a mandatory ultrasound bill, Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for those women and their families who rely on us to advocate for their access to reproductive health care."
