GREATER COLUMBUS RIGHT TO LIFE

Multiple women sought ER care for bleeding and at least two Ohio women were sold abortions for ectopic pregnancies – which are not treated with abortion.

A Greater Columbus Right to Life review of RU486 adverse effects documentation revealed that about 100 Ohio women reported significant adverse effects to their medical abortion provider in 2022. Ohio law (RC 2912.123) requires that complications like incomplete abortion, hospitalization, severe bleeding, failed abortion, or needing a blood transfusion are reported to the Ohio Medical Board by the physician that prescribed the abortion pill if he or she is aware of the complication. Those reports, which do not provide any identifying patient information, are available for review.  About 100 reports have so far been submitted to the Ohio Medical Board for abortions that happened in 2022.

This number is likely smaller than the actual number of women who were harmed by the abortion pill due to underreporting or seeking care at an emergency room, urgent care, or with a different physician.
Only the providing physician is required to report RU-486 events to the Ohio Medical Board, and Ohio Hospitals are not only exempt, but they are generally exempt from reporting most abortion complications to the Ohio Department of Health under other sections of Ohio law.

The number is also likely to be artificially low for two other reasons. There is not a definite timeline for reporting complications, and in most instances there is significant lag between the time that the event happened and the report is sent to the Medical Board. For example, more than 15 reports were provided to the OMB four or more months after the incident, and numerous times the report was filed more than seven months later. 

We believe that there is also significant underreporting happening by clinics that are simply not complying with Ohio law. Although Ohio has nine abortion clinics, three of which provide abortion-pills only, only seven clinics reported any adverse effects in 2022. Northeast Ohio Women’s Center, which is probably the state’s largest provider of the abortion pill, only reported one event at its Summit County location. It reported zero events at its Cuyahoga County location and zero events at what it describes as a “sister facility” in Toledo (the Toledo Women’s Center). These facilities are connected to one of Ohio’s most notorious abortion provider, Burkons, who has faced license suspension in the past and whose clinic is still under investigation after fetal remains and patient information were found in a trash can.

The number reported by abortion facility (so far) is: 

Northeast Ohio Women’s Center: 1
Preterm: 12
Planned Parenthood, Cleveland: 12
Planned Parenthood, Columbus: 5
Planned Parenthood, Cincinnati: 31
Women’s Med of Dayton: 31
Your Choice Columbus: 6

 Among the adverse events reported, by far the most common reported complication was an incomplete or failed medical abortion.

Several patients reported significant bleeding (requiring medical intervention) or being taken to the emergency room. At least two patients were listed as having failed abortions because their pregnancy was ectopic. One had no additional notes and the other was noted as being sent to the emergency room. This means that in at least two cases the pregnancy was not verified as intrauterine before being given the abortion pills (which cost about $800 on several OH websites).  

In the providers’ own words:

“Patient presented with retained IUP. Underwent uncomplicated D&C.”

“Ongoing heaving bleeding after medication abortion. Treated with suction D&C.”

“MAB procedure was initiated per FDA regimen on 5/23/22. Pt. called 5/27/22 to report little to no bleeding. US performed 5/31/22 revealed definite ectopic pregnancy. Pt. referred to hospital for treatment.”

“MAB procedure initiated per FDA regimen on 3/1/22. Patient called emergency RN line on 3/7/22 reporting heaving bleeding & cramping. US revealed continuing pregnancy. Surgical aspiration performed 3/8/22.”

The news was not all bad. In at least once instance, the “event” was that a patient’s medical abortion did not work and she decided to continue the pregnancy.

What does this information tell us?

The abortion pill is continually being pushed on American consumers – generally young women as being a safe, convenient, and easy solution to the “problem” of pregnancy. Again and again, we are told that abortion pills are safer than Tylenol.

Abortion activists are promoting “self-managed” abortions with abortion pills being mailed to patients from out of state, illegally. This is being aided and abetted by Department of Justice memos giving a wink to those providing abortion pills illegally that they need not worry about prosecution.

The Biden FDA has just announced that abortion pills will be available via telehealth appointments and can be picked up in most places at the corner pharmacy – and national chains like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS have already announced that they will be providers.

Abortion is always deadly for babies, and those who prioritize it as a necessity for women’s health are increasingly turning a blind eye to the health of actual women in their zeal for abortions.

Ohio’s Supreme Court will soon be taking up the matter of Ohio’s heartbeat law. We believe that law will be found to be enforceable and constitutional, and we will continue to press lawmakers to make Ohio an abortion-free state, even as our opponents want nothing more than to make Ohio a free-abortion state.

In the interim, Ohio can make a number of minor changes to Ohio law to help us to better enforce our existing and future laws. This includes:

• Modifications to Ohio’s medical abortion law that provides enforcement and penalties to physicians who fail to report significant adverse effects from the abortion pill.
• Requiring that adverse events and complications be reported within a reasonable time – not seven or more months after the fact.
• Requiring Ohio’s hospitals and emergency responders to report statistics related to medical emergencies when women experience complications from surgical or medical abortions, regardless of how that abortion is obtained. Ohio women deserve accurate and real information about the complications that happen from abortion.
• Updating the reporting information in Ohio’s Abortion Statistics report and on Ohio’s abortion reporting forms to reflect current laws and trends.

We also will be increasing our efforts to educate women about the risks and danger of the abortion pill and the opportunities for abortion pill reversal. We’d love to partner with you in that effort. 

In the last week, the Biden Administration has unleashed a series of actions that are an unprecedented attack on religious freedom, rights of conscience, and the unborn.


Step 1: On Thursday, December 29th, the Biden Dept of Health and Human Services started the process to rescind Trump-era conscience rights protections related to medical providers and facilities (including pharmacists and pharmacies). While the scope of conscience protections is broad, it especially applies to issues related to abortion and assisted suicide.


Step 2: On January 3rd, the FDA announced significant changes to how abortion pills are regulated, including that for the first time ever permitting retail pharmacies (aka the place where you fill your prescriptions) will be permitted to fill prescriptions for abortion medicine used for abortion. A few things to know:

• Generally, retail pharmacies will be able to fill medicines prescribed via tele-health meetings.
• Retail pharmacies will have to go through a certification process in order to be able to provide the medicines for abortion purposes.
• Several national chains, including CVS and Walgreens, have already announced that they will be going through the certification process.
• The certification process is through the producer of the medicine, not the state or federal government.
• Ohio law, at this time, does not permit retail sale of abortion medicines.

To elaborate on the last point, Ohio is one of only a small number of states that has enhanced regulations regarding the provision of the abortion pill. Ohio law requires that a physician must personally dispense abortion-inducing drugs for the purpose of inducing abortion.


In the last 24 hours, we've gotten several calls from individuals who would like to make sure that their pharmacy is not providing abortion inducing drugs. A couple of thoughts on that:

• Absent a change in the law or legal action, no pharmacy in Ohio can provide abortion drugs
• This does not mean that a pharmacy that is part of a chain will not provide it in other states
• Because this news is so recent, we do not have a list of pharmacies outside of Ohio that are or will be providing the drug, and it will change as pharmacies drop on and off. Certainly, this is a good reason to think of who is providing your medicines.
• Combined with the change in conscience protection laws listed in the first point, this will have the potential to force pharmacists to provide abortion drugs.

Step 3: On the evening of January 5th, the Department of Justice announced it will not pursue action against abortion drugs illegally mailed into states that prohibit it. While the first two provisions have gotten extensive coverage and provided limited relief for protection in Ohio law, this issue has largely slipped under the radar, even among pro-life leaders. Here is the DOJ slip opinion. A few things about what this means:

• The opinion specifically refers to the mailing, delivery, or receiving of abortion pills, as long as the act is not done with the intent for it to be used illegally.
• On its face, this looks like a reasonable assurance that, for example, a mailman will not be complicit in illegal abortion by delivering a package of abortion pills. However, the memo contains a meaty loophole.
• Specifically, this loophole (page 17) is that the memo states that a provider in another state will "typically" be familiar with federal, rather than state law, and typically will not know the intention of illegal use.
• The opinion is legal guidance for the DOJ, not a law or a regulatory standard. A future administration could reverse this.

Why is this important?
This is a clearly orchestrated attack on unborn life that is intended to undermine the spirit of Dobbs, which declares that states have the right to regulate abortion. It also continues to apply significant pressure to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospital systems, and more to engage in professional behavior that they find morally repugnant or opposed to deeply held religious beliefs. This is not acceptable. It also gives a significant wink to the networks and activists encouraging or providing abortions illegally. This is not theoretical. Yesterday as I walked through downtown Columbus, I spotted dozens of these stickers (placed illegally) on street lamps and other fixtures.

March for Life & Roe Remembrance Information

We’ve heard from many people who are interested in attending the 2023 March for Life in Washington DC and/or the Central Ohio Roe Remembrance at the Statehouse. Here is some helpful information and links for events, bus trips, and news about the annual Mass for Life cancellation (and alternatives)


March for Life in Washington DC
Friday, January 20th, 2023

Note to those traveling to Washington DC- The Archdiocese of Washington DC has announced that the annual Mass for Life and Youth Rally have been cancelled for 2023. We recommend to those who are interested to attend the National Prayer Service at DAR Constitution Hall (7:30 AM Mass, 8:30-10:30 Prayer and Worship) hosted by our friends at Priests for Life or one of the events at the National Basilica.

If you are organizing or helping to organize a bus trip to DC, especially if it is one that is open to other participants, please let us know. We will have some signs and materials to distribute to those who are interested, and we frequently hear from individuals who would like to find a bus trip to join.
 
Roe Remembrance
Monday, January 23, 2023
12:05 – Statehouse Atrium

The annual Roe Remembrance at the Ohio Statehouse will follow the 10:30 am Mass for the Respect for Life at St. Joseph Cathedral. Participants in both events are invited to process to the Statehouse for a very special Roe Remembrance on the 50th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision and the first year since its overturn. Event will be inside the Atrium. 

We anticipate the possibility of significant opposition to this event as well as strong interest in attending, and so we are again asking individuals and groups to register if they plan to attend.

We will also need a significant number of volunteers who will be available early for setup and staffing of the event. If you can volunteer with us or are able to underwrite expenses related to the program, please let us know today by emailing our team or giving us a call.

2021 Ohio Abortion Statistics
Concerning increase in abortions performed statewide, continued decrease locally
 
Today, the Ohio Department of Health released the 2021 abortion statistics. These numbers are released each September for the prior year. For the second consecutive year, the number of abortions performed in Ohio as well as the number of Ohio women having abortions has increased. This year the total number of abortions performed in Ohio rose by 1208 to 21,813, or 6 percent. The number of abortions performed on Ohio women also rose by 1278 to 20,716, or about 6.5%.
Greater Columbus Right to Life looks at the abortions where they are performed as well as by the County where the mother reports her residence. Although there were a small number of abortions performed in other counties, most abortions are performed in the six counties corresponding with major metropolitan areas. Of these Counties, only Franklin and Hamilton Counties saw a reduction in the number of abortions performed. Each of Cuyahoga, Lucas, and Montgomery saw abortions performed increase.
We are incredibly grateful to the work of our sidewalk counselors who are present to help women who are considering abortion connect to resources that can empower them to choose life. This is one of the reasons that Columbus regularly reduces the number of abortions happening and has seen clinic after clinic close. But we need to do better for our moms and babies. Even in this post-Dobbs era, with Ohio’s heartbeat law currently held up by an injunction, the business at abortion clinics is actually up. If you are interested in joining our sidewalk team, visit our website to get connected.

We also look at the abortions by the County where the mother reports her residence. While we will continue to review and update the numbers to provide these reports for each county as we traditionally do, an initial look at the counties where we are chartered shows room for improvement. Unfortunately, we saw increases in the numbers of abortions happening in Delaware, Morrow, Pickaway, Licking, Fairfield, and Licking Counties. Union and Madison saw decreases this year.
We also look at other statistical information. For example:

• Statewide, just under 50% of all abortions happened by non-surgical methods, mostly the abortion pill. For those procedures performed in Central Ohio, about 80% continued to be by non-surgical methods (the abortion pill).
• This year, fewer than 10% of women having abortions reported being married. Just over 76% of abortions were performed on women who were single (never married, widowed, divorced, or separated). About 7.8% did not report their marital status.
• After a significant decrease between 2019 and 2020, the number of girls under the age of 15 having abortions increased from 52 to 57. A similar trend was noted among young women 15-17 (an increase from 469 to 481). The trend continued for nearly every age bracket in Ohio, roughly proportionate the total statewide number of abortions until women aged 35 and older, which saw fairly static to small decreases in the numbers. 

While challenging and heartbreaking, these numbers are not entirely unexpected for 2021, and without your immediate help they could look worse for 2022. Our five quick take-aways that we urge you to consider

• Abortion clinic location and services continue to drive abortion numbers and type.
• The dramatic shift to abortion pills makes it more necessary thane ever that pro-life communities understand Abortion Pill Rescue and Reversal efforts, especially how the process works and how to reach a local provider. Learn more online, and consider helping us with a financial gift so that we can increase distribution of APR materials in the community.
• In a post-Dobbs world, it is more important than ever to stand up to help moms in need. Learn more about Ohio’s new Bold Beginnings plan in this email.
• We can reduce the number of abortions when we have peaceful, prayerful people who are witnessing on the sidewalks. Now is a great time to sign up for our sidewalk ministry or join the 40 Days for Life Campaign.
• Year after year, we continue to lead the state as an effective and faithful organization that leads through integrity. If you value this, please consider supporting our work through GCRTL or learn about our efforts GCRTL ACT. You can also send us a check at our office.

 
You can download a PDF of our report here. Report will be updated as we review and reflect on the available data.  
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Source: Ohio Department of Health

Governor Mike DeWine recently announced an expansion and enhancement of the Bold Beginnings Initiative, and effort to remove barriers to health care, ease financial burdens, and support parents in Ohio. 

GCRTL ED Beth Vanderkooi commented, "Ohio's pro-life Governor Mike DeWine has already drawn national attention for his work to prioritize moms, babies, and families in Ohio through the Bold Beginnings initiative, which leveraged and invested more than $1 Billion to support Ohio's children and families. We appreciate and recognize his lifelong commitment on this issue."


A copy of Governor DeWine's Press Release with program details follows: 


Governor DeWine Announces More Initiatives to Make Ohio the Best Place in the Nation to Have a Baby, Raise a Family
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced he is enhancing his Bold Beginning Initiative to remove barriers to health care, ease financial burdens, and support parents.

“I have a vision for Ohio to be the best place in the nation to have a baby and raise a family,” said Governor DeWine. “As a father of eight and grandfather of 26, I know that each pregnancy is different, and each family is unique. With Bold Beginnings: Healthy, Supported Families, Ohio will provide even more options and supports that can be tailored to each family’s needs, while providing assistance to mothers most at-risk for poor outcomes, to help them as they begin or add to their family. The research is clear, ensuring babies and their parents are safe and supported during pregnancy and the early years helps children succeed later in life. I want to see all children have the opportunity to succeed.” 

In partnership with the Governor’s Children’s Initiative, Governor DeWine’s Bold Beginning Initiative has already invested $1 billion in Ohio’s children and families and the new expansion will help even more. The expansion includes plans surrounding healthcare, stability, and Ohio as an employer taking the lead to support new families.

Healthcare
Consistent health care for expectant mothers and their babies helps families thrive. 
More Health Coverage for Moms and Babies: Governor DeWine plans to work with the legislature to increase eligibility for Medicaid-sponsored health care to pregnant women and children in families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. For a single, expectant mother, the income limit will be $54,930 per year. For a family of three, that’s up to $69,090 a year. This will allow more working families to access prenatal, labor, delivery, post-partum, and preventative care, as well as well-baby visits and other care for the youngest Ohioans, without the financial stress that accompanies major medical care. Earlier this year, Ohio expanded access by allowing new mothers to continue receiving coverage for up to one year after giving birth.
Comprehensive Maternal Care Program: Medicaid launched Comprehensive Maternal Care, a partnership with OB/GYN practices to connect expectant moms with care earlier in their pregnancy, focusing on improving birth outcomes. In addition, expectant moms will receive guidance and personalized assistance to access services, supports, and health care tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.
Best Practices In Birthing Hospitals: The Ohio Department of Health will work with Ohio hospitals and birthing centers to implement a standard of evidence-based clinical practices that help reduce complications and improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
Connection with Critical Resources: Ohio will make the Electronic Pregnancy Risk Assessment Form easier for providers to complete, ensuring vulnerable moms can be more quickly connected with services and supports. This form helps providers determine if state or community assistance is needed to provide stable housing, home visiting, nutrition, and education. By further incentivizing providers to complete this form, Ohio can connect more moms with critical services that contribute to a healthy, stable environment, ultimately leading to improved outcomes.
Supporting Mental Health and Wellness: Ohio will expand the reach of perinatal depression screening tools helping mothers connect to necessary care and improving their mental wellness. Many new mothers face post-partum depression and too often struggle to find the help they need, which leads to poorer outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Expanding the use of depression screening tools by health care practitioners combined with a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the importance of mental and emotional health of pregnant and parenting women will improve health outcomes.
Health Care for More Adopted Youth: Governor DeWine will work with the legislature to expand Medicaid access to more adopted youth, reducing economic barriers for potential adoptive families. Ohio will pursue a waiver to allow children adopted through private agencies to be eligible for Medicaid coverage, even if their adoptive parents have private insurance.
Care Coordination for Children with Complex Needs: Ohio has launched Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence (OhioRISE), a new specialized managed care behavioral health program for young people who have the most complex health care needs., OhioRISE addresses longstanding gaps in care and coordination that often result in families having to navigate complex, often siloed systems on their own. The program features a new statewide network of care management entities that operate under the OhioRISE plan and serve as community-based experts in navigating and coordinating care. More than 10,000 families have already enrolled in OhioRISE, which aims to keep more families together by creating access to new and enhanced, evidence-based mental health services.
Family Stability
Ohio will pursue initiatives to help families ensure stability – financially, physically, and emotionally. Meeting families’ needs and reducing stress by creating stability improves outcomes for mothers and their families, allowing them the opportunity to thrive.
Eliminating State and Local Tax on Baby Supplies: Governor DeWine will work with the legislature to eliminate state and local taxes on diapers, car seats, wipes, safety gear, and other baby supplies, saving Ohio families hundreds of dollars a year.
Safe, Secure Housing for More Struggling and New Mothers: Programs such as Healthy Beginnings at Home, which connects housing-unstable, pregnant women and new mothers with housing and wrap-around supports, are virtually eliminating infant mortality and improving birth outcomes among the families they serve. Ohio will pursue a federal waiver to provide short-term housing and wrap-around care to pregnant women and new families who are struggling to find stable housing. Additionally, Healthy Beginnings at Home will expand to more Ohio communities.
Increased Access to Nutrition Services: The Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal programs that help improve maternal health and reduce infant mortality by providing nutritious foods, have different enrollment processes, meaning eligible moms often aren’t enrolled in both. Ohio will expand the new pilot program that cross enrolls women in both federal programs, allowing more Ohioans to receive nutrition benefits.
Expand Programs that Provide Cribs, Car Seats, and Play Yards: The Ohio Department of Health, and the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund within the Department of Job and Family Services provide vulnerable and expectant new mothers with material assistance such as cribs, play yards, and car seats in order to keep children safe and healthy. The Department of Health will increase funding for this program to ensure more vulnerable families leave the hospital with critical items to keep their babies safe.
Safe Sleep/Cribs for Kids Program: The Ohio Department of Health is increasing their safe sleep education program because sleep-related infant deaths are some of the most preventable. Ohio’s newly certified foster parents will receive safe sleep information, and a partnership with Direct on Scene Education will educate first responders about safe sleep, in order to provide real-time safe sleep education and connect families with needed resources.  The Ohio Department of Health’s Cribs for Kids program will be expanding to reach even more Ohioans.
Expand Programs to Meaningfully Engage Fathers: The role fathers play in providing stability for their children helps contribute to their future success. Research shows that children who have meaningfully engaged fathers have reduced behavior problems, improved academic outcomes, and reduced poverty. The Ohio Fatherhood Commission will expand to help more fathers learn how to be meaningfully engaged in the lives of their child and the child’s mother. Often fathers want to provide for their children, but they lack education and skills to meet their financial obligations. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will partner with workforce development and child support enforcement agencies to help engage fathers, get them the training they need to begin careers, and help them better provide for their children.  
Increasing Quality Child Care Accessibility: Evidence shows that quality child care can help to change the life trajectory of children. Since taking office, Governor DeWine has focused on creating more opportunities for all children to attend quality child care programs. Increasing from 40% in 2019, now all child care providers who receive public funds are quality rated, meaning the settings are safe, the curriculum is quality, and there are programs and supports available to families. Governor DeWine will work with the legislature to increase eligibility for publicly funded child care to 150% of the federal poverty level – nearly $42,000 for a family of four.  This will help more working families access care. Additionally, Governor DeWine intends to create small business startup grants that will help child care providers cover their initial operating costs, with a priority focus on areas of the state that are child care deserts.
Foster Care Transformation: To ensure Ohio’s child welfare system is focused on the best interests of the children it serves, Governor DeWine created the Children’s Services Transformation Advisory Council to conduct a comprehensive review and develop a set of recommendations to improve it.  Their final report included 37 recommendations across 7 domains, including workforce, practice, and adoption. All 37 are currently implemented or underway at the Department of Job and Family Services, including the creation of a Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office to investigate and help resolve concerns involving children and families impacted by foster care and a public children services agencies. The next budget will include additional funding to ensure that public children services agencies have the resources they need to focus on a child’s best interest, to meet their increased demand.
Implementing Adoption Assistance: In addition to the increased Medicaid coverage for those children adopted through private agencies outlined above, Governor DeWine will work with the General Assembly to create parity between public and private adoption by offering private adoption families $1,000 toward the legal costs associated with adoption, reducing the financial burden of adoptive families.
Leading the Way
As an employer, the state of Ohio will lead the way in pursuing family-friendly policies for its workers.
Reducing Financial Burden of Health Care:  The DeWine Administration has eliminated all insurance co-pays related to prenatal care, labor, and delivery for state employees, reducing financial strain.
Increased Maternity Leave: Governor DeWine also extended paid maternity leave from six weeks to twelve weeks for state employees, allowing more time for families to create a strong start. Additionally, Governor DeWine will work to eliminate the two-week waiting period state employees have to access paid parental leave, further reducing the financial burden families face.
 
Some of the Bold Beginning Health, Stable Families initiatives are being implemented or expanded, while others will require legislation, but these efforts, combined with the quality services and supports that are available now, will help Ohio be the best state to raise a family.
“The bottom line is this: children living in poverty and family instability experience many types of stress and adverse childhood experiences that can impact their lifelong success. By intervening early in the lives of vulnerable pregnant women, we can break this cycle and create positive outcomes for moms and babies. This approach, helping both babies, and their families, will have profound impact on our communities and our economy, said Governor DeWine. "Supporting Ohio’s families now will help children thrive as adults and continue leading our great state to an even brighter future." 
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GCRTL Responds to Columbus’ Million Dollar Abortion Buyout

COLUMBUS – This morning, Columbus City Council members and their allies in the abortion advocacy community announced advancement of legislation that they describe as:

• Providing taxpayer dollars directly to Planned Parenthood, the Women’s Alliance, and the Abortion Fund of Ohio
• De-prioritize enforcement of laws related to abortion, and
• Investigate and threaten pregnancy help centers.

The following can be attributed to Beth Vanderkooi, executive director of Greater Columbus Right to Life

Columbus City Council, along the mayor’s office, continue their bad leadership in pursuit of an extreme, out-of-touch, and highly partisan agenda that prioritizes abortion over the safety of women and the needs of thousands of central Ohio families and dedicates thousands of taxpayer dollars to fund the death and destruction of unborn children.

While violent crime escalates city-wide and our police force continues to dwindle, Columbus is announcing again today that it does not care about the health and safety of our community or the rule of law and will be targeting pregnancy centers that help thousands of pregnant women in our region every year. City Council announced in one breath it does not have the resources to dedicate to escalating community violence while also announcing it will giving more than a million dollars to fund abortion and groups like Planned Parenthood, the Abortion fund of Ohio, Pro-Choice Ohio and the Ohio Women’s Alliance.

So-called pro-choice groups should laud the work of pregnancy centers - places that work every day to tell women who think their best or only choice is abortion that there is help available. Pregnancy centers routinely provide free pregnancy tests, confirmation of pregnancy for programs like WIC, ultrasounds, referrals to low-and-no-cost medical care and social safety net services, parenting education, material aid, and emotional support. In many cases, this empowers women to choose life for their children and work to lift their families out of poverty and dependency. They are not there to trick or deceive women – women are smart, courageous, and resilient.

Please contrast this with what happens when women walk into an abortion clinic and are offered state mandated health information and an abortion. No other help, and no other choices. This is an offer of death and not the promise of freedom and equality that women deserve.
 ###

We are receiving dozens of questions about Ohio’s Heartbeat law in response to online assertions that Ohio’s heartbeat law will make it illegal to resolve an ectopic pregnancy or to perform surgical intervention in the case of a woman who has suffered a miscarriage or other medical emergency. Neither of these assertions is true and citations to the opposite are at best dangerously misinformed and at worst intentionally fabricated to manipulate the emotions and distort the discussion about abortion – the discussions about abortion that the Dobbs case rightfully returned to state legislatures and the citizens themselves.

Discussion of this issue is also complicated because we often do not define terms. Abortion can have different meanings in different contexts. For example, in the medical field, “abortion” generally means any pregnancy that does not result in a live birth. Sometimes the words “spontaneous” or “induced” or “inevitable” are applied to differentiate. We’ve received many calls from women who are heartbroken or infuriated to learn that their miscarriage is reflected in their medical report as a “natural” or “spontaneous” abortion. When we talk about abortion in the field of ethics, we often refer to a direct action intentionally taken to end a known pregnancy. Legal definitions vary from place to place and are often a combination of the two concepts. This adds confusion to a complicated issue, for sure. While there are numerous examples of medical terminology and ethical terminology and legal terminology differing from each other and the common use of those same words in our everyday life, it certainly adds to the difficulty that we have in discussing abortion.

So, let’s talk about how abortion is defined in Ohio’s law and show why assertions that Ohio’s laws on abortion  do not allow for intervention in medical emergencies, miscarriages, and ectopic pregnancies are incorrect.
First of all – take a look at Ohio’s definition of abortion. It can be found here: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2919.11.

2919.11 says, “As used in the Revised Code, "abortion" means the purposeful termination of a human pregnancy by any person, including the pregnant woman herself, with an intention other than to produce a live birth or to remove a dead fetus or embryo. Abortion is the practice of medicine or surgery for the purposes of section 4731.41 of the Revised Code.”

This is how Ohio law defines abortion – not just in the chapter or the section, but everywhere in Ohio’s revised code. This automatically means that in Ohio surgical intervention in the case of a miscarriage is not defined as an abortion. This also means that if a woman is in a medical emergency and doctors take emergency efforts with the intent to save her life – that still is not an abortion under Ohio law, even if the baby does not survive.[i]

The exception is clarified over and over again in Ohio law, including in the so-called “Heartbeat” provisions. There are several sections that deal with the heartbeat standard, but the one that is helpful here is 2919.193.  Specifically, section B states, “(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to a physician who performs or induces the abortion if the physician believes that a medical emergency, as defined in section 2919.16 of the Revised Code, exists that prevents compliance with that division.”

So then we go to 2919.16, which is linked above, and to line F, which says:

“(F) "Medical emergency" means a condition that in the physician's good faith medical judgment, based upon the facts known to the physician at that time, so complicates the woman's pregnancy as to necessitate the immediate performance or inducement of an abortion in order to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or to avoid a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman that delay in the performance or inducement of the abortion would create.”

But don’t close out your tab to 2919.16 yet, we’ll come back to it in a minute.

At this point, we’ve covered surgical resolution of miscarriage and responses to medical emergencies for mom. So now, let’s turn to ectopic pregnancy.

We’ve gotten good at knowing to define things, so first - what is an ectopic pregnancy? An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus – usually in the Fallopian tubes. As many as 2% of all pregnancies are ectopic. Some will resolve on their own, but others will need medical intervention. When the baby develops in a place like the Fallopian tube, it will eventually rupture. The baby will not survive, and the mom is also at high risk of serious complication and death.

There are three ways an ectopic pregnancy is generally treated. Two are surgical and one is non-surgical. None of these are considered abortions under Ohio law. Not only are they just different procedures, but even if they were defined as abortions they would be a response to a medical emergency. They also more than likely would fall under section K of 2919.16 (we said to keep your tab open!). That section adds some clarification to what a medical emergency consists of, and it says:

(K) "Serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" means any medically diagnosed condition that so complicates the pregnancy of the woman as to directly or indirectly cause the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. A medically diagnosed condition that constitutes a "serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" includes pre-eclampsia, inevitable abortion, and premature rupture of the membranes, may include, but is not limited to, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and does not include a condition related to the woman's mental health.”

If you are still worried, Ohio also specifically exempts termination of an ectopic pregnancy from its prohibitions related to funding abortions in section 5106.51, which includes:

“(F) Nothing in this section denies reimbursement for drugs or devices to prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum, or for medical procedures for the termination of an ectopic pregnancy.”


There simply is zero reason to scare women into believing that in Ohio or anywhere else, overturning the Dobbs decision is going to result in women being prohibited from life-saving medical treatment due to an ectopic pregnancy or any other medical emergency or from removing an unborn but already deceased baby from a mother’s uterus. And history shows that is true – women with miscarriages beyond Ohio’s past gestational abortion limits have been able to receive surgical intervention after miscarriage and stillbirth.

Perhaps we need to ask – why is the crowd that is demanding publicly funded abortion on demand at all stages of pregnancy trying to tell you that Dobbs means that pregnant women in Ohio (and elsewhere) will be denied medical treatment in the case of medical emergencies? This is pure scare-tactic sensationalism designed to instill anger, fear, and hatred. 

You don't need to respond to every instance that someone is wrong on the internet. Sometimes it is better just to keep on scrolling or to reach out privately and let them know that the content they shared is misleading, but if you get into a discussion and need some facts to overcome fear - here you go. 

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[i] One example used a lot here is pre-eclampsia. If a woman is in physical danger from pre-eclampsia, the medical intervention to save her life is to deliver the baby. Baby should be provided appropriate emergency care, but we also know it may not be possible to survive depending on its general condition, gestation, etc. This is completely different than inserting surgical instruments into the uterus to dismember and suction out the baby’s remains. This is a principle that is widely established in medicine and ethics called “Double Effect.” 

​By now, almost everyone has heard about the leaked first-draft copy of the majority opinion U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case. While the text has been authenticated, it is not the final decision, and it is subject to change (and may have been changed before the draft was leaked). There is much speculation on the leak, but to date nothing substantial. The draft opinion is extremely well-written. It says that there is no national Constitutional right to abortion and clarifies that states can set policies for the protection of unborn children, the regulation of abortion and abortion clinics, and enact full abolition of abortion. While some may wish that the decision had gone further in declaring the personhood status of the child, that question was not before the court.


It will be tempting, given the situation and the circumstances of this leak, to give way to excitement over a victory, fret about procedure and efforts to influence the Court, decry the decision as not going far enough, or spend hours reacting to public sentiment via social or conventional media. My encouragement, however, is that while each of these things has a place in our response, we should continue to always pray and never give up, never lose heart, and never grow weary in our efforts, because Pro-Life Ohioans: now is our time.


Now is our time to redouble efforts to support vulnerable women, children, and families in need. Returning abortion regulation to the states will not immediately amend the brokenness of our culture and its detrimental impact on families and openness to life. Instead, let us take up the mandate to put our hearts where our mouths have been and to use them to proclaim the absolute dignity of human life with our every word, action, and effort. Let us be vocal advocates that while government programs may have a place, it is also our responsibility to engage and act at an individual level.


Now is our time to respond with compassion and mercy to the generations of women and men who are scared, hurt, and angry because they believe that the success and equality of women can only be bought by blood – and not the blood of the Lamb, but by the blood of their own children. For those who believe that the path of success is paved with the remains of aborted children, we have an opportunity to show that this is a lie. Abortion is often an attempt to respond to very real problems faced by women and families. Instead of mocking them, inciting tensions, or amplifying their rage, let us work to end injustice and inequality by tearing down the structures that deny women and families flexibility and accommodation. Abortion props up a system that pits women against their unborn children and often makes them choose between their babies’ lives and their educations, jobs, and overall chances at success. 


Now is our time to speak and act with clear-headedness, truth, and gentleness at the misguided notion that abortion is the compassionate answer to crimes like rape and incest. Rape is without a doubt a violent assault, and we do not turn a blind eye to its severity and consequences. However, pregnancy is not a punishment for women who engage in sexual activity without “permission” of the culture. To say that a woman who is the victim of rape “deserves” an abortion but the woman who is the victim of domestic violence or who engaged in a one-night stand does not ignores the absolute humanity of the child. It fails to consider that most victims of rape are assaulted by someone they know. Especially in the case of minors or victims of offenses such as incest and human trafficking, abortion can be used to cover-up repeated crimes. Even today, women who report sexual assault have abortions in roughly the same percentages as women who have abortions for other types of unplanned pregnancy: pushing abortion exceptions and calling for abortion for women who have been sexually assaulted does not consider their actual feelings, emotions, and needs after violence. It perpetuates the lie that women need only “put behind them” violence to heal from it. It is more likely to subject women who chose life and the children conceived in rape or incest to judgement, ridicule, and dehumanization. Instead of diminishing the egregious nature of violence and sexual assault, let us come together to demand justice for victims of sexual assault, access to healing, and support for those who struggle.


Now is the time to speak out against the ableism that says children with possible or likely medical needs have lives that are not worth living. Let us reject the idea that the parental instinct to protect a child is best met by euthanizing that child. Instead, let us have honest conversations about prenatal hospice and maternal care and recognize the sorrow families feel at miscarriage rather than place the emotional burden of taking direct action to end the life of a child on the parents’ shoulders. Let’s put an end to the increasingly prevalent idea that children and adults with profound health and medical needs have lives that are not worth living and extend compassion and humanity to those who are aged, infirm, and otherwise vulnerable.


Now is the time to recognize that the American Church has its greatest challenge and opportunity to engage in the new evangelism by persisting in the loving truth that we are stewards and not owners of the lives God has entrusted to us. Let us proclaim that everyone who has ever been or will ever be was known, beloved, and made in the image of God; that Jesus Christ has conquered all death and sin because of that love; and that we may not understand all of the trials and sufferings that have entered into this world and we may not know that time or the place or the way that it will happen, but that God has and will overcome all of the sufferings of this world. Let us speak clearly that our concern for the unborn child comes from a genuine regard for the dignity of the human person.


When I look at the pro-life movement, I see people who are worn and weary from five decades of activism. I see new faces full of ideas and enthusiasm. I see people of diverse backgrounds and faiths and of no faith whatsoever. I see people who want to join us, but who are afraid that their gender or their beliefs disqualify them. I hear from people repulsed by abortion but who believe it is the only compassionate position. I see the walking wounded hurting from past abortions. Let us unite in the churches and in the public square and recruit others to our cause.

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Now is our time, pro-life Ohioans, to acknowledge that while we want nothing more than this fight to be over it is time to lovingly persist. In the words of the inimitable Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, “We know the justice of our cause, we trust in the faithfulness of his promise, and therefore we shall not weary, we shall not rest.”  

This article was originally printed in The Catholic Times. 

Like many of you, we have heard about the formula supply chain problems and the resulting scarcity. While we believe strongly in supporting breastfeeding moms, the reality is that is not possible in every case. Our philosophy: fed is best. 

Some infants, be they those who are in an adoption or foster care placement, babies with medical needs, babies whose mothers need to supplement feedings, babies whose mothers work in places that can or do not accommodate breastfeeding need formula. When formula is not available - be that because manufacturers stop producing, when store shipments are held up, when stores don't have employees to stock the shelves, moms and dads who use formula worry. We know that this problem disproportionately affects rural families, those living in or near poverty, and single moms at a disproportionate level; not only are these families more likely to rely on formula for feeding but they are also less likely to be able to drive to multiple stores if their formula is not available. For many infants, especially those with specialty formula needs, caretakers can't just swap out formulas. For families receiving supplemental nutritional assistance in programs like WIC (Women Infants Children), participants are generally limited to brands and sizes set by state formularies. 

We know that this is an issue for families. We are encouraging everyone to contact their Congressional and US Senate representatives about the problems you are facing to ask them to put pressure on the administration to resolve the problem. 

We have also reached out to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine via the Ohio Department of Health to learn what the state of Ohio is doing. The Ohio Department of Health has been and is actively addressing the issue. Here are some of the things they are doing: 

• Working with stakeholders like WIC programs, USDA, retailers, formula manufactures to minimize the shortage
• Daily tracking of participant and clinic inquiries related to WIC difficulties
• Adding flexibility and substitutions for WIC participants
• Weekly contact with formula manufacturers about shortages and shipment updates - information that is shared.
• Local WIC staff have been asked to work closely with clients
• Communications to local WIC providers and healthcare providers about shortages and products

We have asked for clarification if there is further work being done to address the entire community or if state coordination extends only to WIC. Once we have clarified, we will update this post. 

Further, ODH is recommending that families impacted by the shortage 

• DO NOT dilute formula
• Do NOT give juice, milk, or water instead of formula
• Do NOT make homemade formula
• DO call ahead to ask about product availability
• DO consider asking a store associate if there is any in stock
• DO contact your physician or pharmacy for help if you need assistance, especially with specialty or medical formula

We have also reached out to other organizations including pregnancy help centers to gauge what the are hearing from clients, what formula (if any) they are able to distribute, and if they or any clients are interested in helping to speak to local reporters to highlight the problem. 

We spoke with one mom earlier this week who did an interview with the Ohio Statehouse News Bureau's Jo Ingles about this issue. 

We want to continue helping - if you are a local family struggling to find a formula or if you are willing to speak with a reporter or a legislator about the problems you are facing, please let us know so that we can a) attempt to help, b) help emphasize the severity of this problem, and c) continue to raise awareness of the problem. 

For those who may have seen online recipes for homemade baby food, please consider reading this article  that discusses the dangers of homemade formula. If you are not sure you trust the physician in the article, we also recommend this piece that talks to Dr. Meg Meeker, a trusted voice in the pro-life and medical community. 

If you need some help or if you want to become an advocate, please use this form to send us your contact information (the responses will be emailed to us, they will not be posted in the comments, unless you use the comment section to respond). 

In a report published tonight by Politico, what appears to be a leaked first draft of the Dobbs decision calls for the overturn of Roe v Wade. 

The decision, which is marked as a first draft appears to be a 5-3 decision that Chief Justice Roberts has not yet signed off on and the majority opinion written by Alito. 

Greater Columbus Right to Life executive director Beth Vanderkooi noted, "If this opinion more or less stands and is published, it will be a good day for the unborn children of Ohio and our nation." Vanderkooi was cautious to note that it is not a final decision and there is some intrigue involved. There has never been a leaked US Supreme Court decision, and it could be an effort to influence the opinion writing process.

Vanderkooi continued, "Most importantly, this is a preview of what we in the pro-life movement have realized every time we talk about a post-Roe world: it will just be the start of our efforts. We must be prepared to, overnight, open up our hearts to help women, children, and families who find themselves in less than ideal circumstances. This has long been the pro-life community that I know and am privileged to work with every day."


​This story will be updated