In the next legislative session, members are planning on introducing a trigger bill; should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in 1973, the measure would make abortion illegal in Ohio.
But if the measure is approved, and if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, women and girls would still have the option to cross state lines and obtain abortions. With that in mind, Ohio Right to Life spokeswoman Allie Frazier recognizes that the state can only do so much.
"We believe that the people of Ohio are kind and compassionate people who are ready to say, 'You know what? We might not be able to control what other states decide on abortion. We may not be able to change things in other states, but what we can do is … stand for life,'" she submits. "We are going to say abortion does not belong in our state."
Frazier points out that most any female who does not practice abstinence is a candidate for pregnancy, even if she uses birth control.
"Every woman who finds herself in an unplanned pregnancy deserves the love and support of her community, her family, [and] her friends," Frazier asserts. "That's why Ohio has over 155 pregnancy centers that are there for women when they need it most."
Those facilities provide a full range of services, including employment, sometimes financial support, and/or free sonograms so that women can confidently carry their preborn babies to term, even if they plan to adopt them out to a loving couple.
Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis guarantees there are enough votes in the legislature to pass the bill this year. It will be called the Human Life Protection Act.
