Planned Parenthood Gearing Up To Make Ohio A Haven For Out-Of-State Abortion Seekers

Planned Parenthood announced that it will make significant investments in Ohio following the results of a ballot referendum enshrining a right to the procedure in the state constitution, which would accommodate women seeking abortion from other states, Axios reported.

Ohio voters approved a referendum, with 56% voting in favor, on Nov. 7 that amended the state constitution to create a right for women to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions” until the fetus can viably live outside the womb, according to the text of the initiative. Planned Parenthood said that the group would seek to add staff and facilities, including near Ohio’s borders, to enable women to seek the procedure, according to Axios.

“We have an obligation and responsibility now with this right enshrined in Ohio to provide access not just to Ohioans but all of the people who are not able to access [abortion],” Erica Wilson-Domer, the chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, said, according to Axios.

Ohio shares borders with Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, the latter three of which have banned abortion procedures significantly since the overturning of a constitutional right to an abortion by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In Indiana and West Virginia, abortion is prohibited from the moment of conception with exceptions for rape, incest, lethal fetal anomalies and to protect the mother’s life, while, in Kentucky there are exceptions for the life of the mother.

“We are incredibly hopeful with the passing of Issue 1 that it will be easier to recruit providers that want to come to Ohio knowing that reproductive rights have been enshrined in the constitution here,” Wilson-Domer said.

“It has been incredibly challenging to staff for abortion services and recruit providers to the state given the [previous] restrictions,” she said.

Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment.