Does the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Affect Ohio?

The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade has left many people scrambling for answers as they are trying to determine if they can still access abortion in their home state. 

Due to the rapid changes in laws, misinformation is spreading online and on social media as people are trying to understand the practical implications. 

Read the rest of this article to understand what is currently legal. 

What Exactly is Roe v. Wade?

In 1973, the case of Roe v. Wade established that the “right to privacy” clause in the US Constitution included a woman’s right to an abortion. 

This means that abortion became a federally-protected right and sanctioned millions of these procedures to be conducted over the next five decades.

What Does it Mean that Roe v. Wade was Overturned? 

In Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court determined that there was not enough credibility for the original argument of Roe that established the right to an abortion was included in the Constitution. 

Because the current Supreme Court determined this is not “rooted in the Nation’s history and tradition,” they struck Roe down. This means the decision to legislate abortion is now handed down to each individual state.

Is Abortion Legal in Ohio? 

In Ohio, there was a “trigger law” ready to go into effect in the event that Roe was ever overturned. This law was passed in 2019 and now restricts abortion access for pregnancies that are farther along than 6 weeks. The only exception to this law is if the mother’s life or physical health is endangered by the pregnancy.

Next Steps?

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and wondering what your options are now, the most practical first step you can take is to schedule an ultrasound, which can confirm the gestational viability and age of the pregnancy (which can affect abortion eligibility if you are considering traveling out of state).

At our clinic, we offer no-cost ultrasounds where you can get more information about the health of your pregnancy as well as learn more about what your options are. 

We are here to inform and support you, so contact us today to make an appointment!

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