4 reactions to Ohio ballot initiative critics say is 'anti-women,' will usurp parents' rights
Over 700,000 signatures gathered in effort to codify abortion in state constitution, allow trans surgeries for kids
AAPLOG and SBA Pro-Life
Ohio members of The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), an organization that defends medical practices that preserve the lives of women and unborn children, condemned the proposed amendment in a statement provided to The Christian Post on Wednesday.
Dr. Angela Martin, an OB-GYN, joined other doctors in condemning the proposed amendment. Martin emphasized that the measure would permit abortions during a period in the pregnancy when the unborn child can feel pain and potentially survive outside the womb.
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“It also endangers the women it claims to care for by eliminating existing health and safety protections for abortion facilities,” she continued. “This amendment is not the way to support real, quality care for Ohio women and children.”
Dr. Lindsay Rerko, a family medicine doctor, referred to the amendment as “anti-women and anti-parent,” expressing concern for the health of her patients.
“Eliminating parental involvement in their minor children's health decisions while allowing abortion up to birth when babies can feel pain will lead to worse health outcomes for everyone involved,” Rerko said.
Vivina Napier, another OB-GYN, warned about threats to parental rights that she sees taking place throughout the country, such as subjecting children to therapies unsupported by evidence, a likely reference to trans surgeries. Napier strongly advised against allowing children to make “life-impacting medical decisions” without their parents’ involvement.
“This ballot initiative would permit gruesome late-term abortions in our state as well as exclude parents from participating in their children's life-altering healthcare decisions,” the OB-GYN said. “This amendment endangers the safety, health and well-being of children in Ohio, as well as the rights of parents.”
In addition to concerns for patients' physical health, Maureen Curley, Ph.D., drew attention to how the Ohio ballot initiative could negatively impact patients' mental health. Curley worries that the late-term abortions allowed under the proposed amendment could put women at risk for “severe and long-term depression, substance abuse and psychological stress.”
“This mental distress is the ultimate injustice for Ohio women who need and deserve better,” Curley said.
In March, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America issued a statement about the ballot initiative, assessing that the measure would amend Ohio’s constitution and invalidate existing abortion restrictions.
“Regardless of what your views are on abortion, everyone should be concerned about this radical ballot measure that eliminates basic health care regulations and contains no protections for women’s safety,” SBA Pro-Life America’s State Affairs Director Sue Liebel stated.
“It’s extremely concerning that it would take Ohio’s law on parental consent off the books, and it would forbid mothers and fathers from being able to have a say or any knowledge if their daughter seeks an abortion.”
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
