On November 7, Ohio voters approved the pro-abortion constitutional amendment Issue 1 by a 13% margin. The amendment states that it will, among other things, “prohibit the State from directly or indirectly burdening, penalizing, or prohibiting abortion before an unborn child is determined to be viable, unless the State demonstrates that it is using the least restrictive means” and “create legal protections for any person or entity that assists a person with receiving reproductive medical treatment, including but not limited to abortion.” According to a memo by SBA Pro-Life America,
pro-abortion forces spent a staggering $66.7 million – outspending pro-life forces by a 2:1 margin – to fuel a campaign centered on lies and deception to muscle through a constitutional amendment designed to allow unlimited, unregulated abortion. Pro-abortion forces claimed without passage of the amendment, women would be left to die, despite clear language in Ohio’s law allowing for life-saving care. Further, the ballot language deceived voters into thinking the amendment allows for limits on abortion after the point of viability. In reality, the vague “health” exception in its language is a major loophole that allows for late-term abortion without limit and allows the abortionist to determine viability.
–SBA Pro-Life America
We are disappointed that the pro-abortion ideologues pushing this amendment succeeded in their misinformation campaign downplaying how extreme and out of touch with the views of Ohioans Issue 1 is. However, we are proud of the AAPLOG members that stepped up in the months leading up to this vote to sound the alarm about this amendment’s concernedly broad language. We had members featured in both national and local outlets with op-eds, radio interviews, and more. The advocacy work of these medical professionals was exemplary, giving life-affirming healthcare a voice in this battle even in the face of a biased news media, and we hope that it motivates more of our members to join the public square in defense of our pregnant and preborn patients.
We also want to reassure members that the fight for life-affirming healthcare in Ohio is not over. AAPLOG will continue to advocate for high-quality, dignified healthcare for all human beings from fertilization to natural death. We will continue to publish evidence-based materials educating the medical community and the public about the merits of life-affirming care and the harms of induced abortion for our patients. We will continue to support our community of life-affirming medical professionals, protect their rights of conscience, and encourage them in their pro-life practice.
