An abortion ban could become reality in Ohio. According to the Planned Parenthood Ohio Action Network, the Ohio House Health Committee will hold a June 13 hearing on H.B. 228, which would outlaw abortion.
More information below.
According to PPOAN, here's what's at stake:
Ohio House Bill 228 is a total ban on safe, legal abortion in Ohio. It would:
Make it illegal to perform ANY abortion in Ohio;
Increase the penalties for the offenses of unlawful abortion, unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing drug, and abortion trafficking;
Enact the offense of facilitating an abortion;
Place felony penalties on an individual who attempts to coordinate an abortion for a minor; and
Make it a felony to transport a woman across state lines to obtain an abortion.
In addition to asking all Ohioans to write their representatives and voice their opposition to H.B. 228, PPOAN is looking for people to attend and testify at the hearing. Here's where you can get more information and sign up to be at the hearing.
This bill is more than an affront to women and our right to control our bodies. It's also a direct hit on representative democracy. As is well known, Ohio is awash in corruption, there are serious questions about the integrity of our elections, and our citizens are suffering from the loss of jobs that pay decent wages. But instead of taking any action that might actually help the citizens of Ohio, the republicans who have for too long ruled this state ignore reality, pander to their base and wage this full on assault against women.
In short, the republicans have completely divorced "public servant" from their definition of elected representative.
Fellow Ohioans: If you're as mad as hell, join me in telling them that we're not going to take it anymore!
UPDATE: After I posted this, I remembered that there was a great diary that bears on this issue, [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/26/010/07328 I Lean Pro-Life]. It's a must-read because it shows how much closer the people are on abortion than politicians and zealots would have us believe.