Abortion

Kasich Won't Push Heartbeat Bill

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:30:00 +0000

The so-called "Heartbeat Bill" is dead in this session of the legislature, according to Republican Senate president Tom Niehaus. But its backers say they won't give up, and are still hoping for a last-minute maneuver to get it to the Senate floor before the end of the year. But one supporter of restrictions on abortion who's not getting involved is Gov. John Kasich.

"I let the legislature do its job, and then I respond. I try not to wade into the legislature," says Kasich. "I don't get in the middle of legislative activity."

Latest Tactic in Heartbeat Bill Fight Could Block It for Good in Lame Duck Session

Jo Ingles (Ohio Public Radio) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:35:00 +0000

Earlier this week, backers of what's known as the heartbeat abortion bill threatened to use a unusual tactic known as a discharge petition to bring the bill for a vote by the state senate - despite the wishes of it's president. Now the senate president is taking an unusual step of his own to make sure the bill does not come up for a vote by his members during the lame duck session.

Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus has used an unusual procedure to keep the heartbeat abortion bill tied up in a senate committee for the next 30 days so it can’t come onto the floor for a vote.

Abortions By Ohio Women Are At An All-time Low

Associated Press and Akron Beacon Journal — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:30:00 +0000

The Ohio Department of Health reports that induced abortions dropped 12 percent last year, hitting the lowest number since the state started tracking them 35 years ago.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that abortions have fallen in Ohio each year since 2000. Experts attribute it to a variety of factors, including increased use of birth control, better access to health care and improved health education.

The number of overall Ohio births also has fallen, 16.5 percent from 1990 to 2010.

Bill to Reduce Funding to Planned Parenthood

Jo Ingles (Ohio Public Radio) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:30:33 +0000

An Ohio house committee has recommended a bill that would re-prioritize funding for family planning services so that Planned Parenthood would be last on the list.

From Commonplace to Controversial: The Different Histories of Abortion in Europe and the US

Anna M. Peterson — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:35:47 +0000

As the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court case legalizing abortion, approaches, many Americans assume that legalized abortion is only as old as that ruling. In fact, as Anna Peterson discusses this month, abortion had only been made illegal at the turn of the 20th century. The different histories of abortion in Europe and the United States reveal much about the current state of American debates-so prominent in the 2012 elections campaigns-over abortion and women's health.