Ohio Right to Life’s Statement on Sponsor Testimony on HB 378 in the Ohio House

For Immediate Release

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Contact: Mary Parker

Phone: 614-547-0099 ext. 303

Columbus, Ohio—Today, the Ohio House Health Committee heard sponsor testimony on H.B. 378, the Abortion Pill Reversal Information Act. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Kyle Koehler and Sarah Fowler Arthur. This proposed piece of legislation would require that at least 24 hours before prescribing abortion-inducing drugs, a physician must inform a patient in writing that it may be possible to reverse the effects of the chemical abortion if she changes her mind. H.B. 378 will help ensure that women make an informed decision about the chemical abortion procedure and other available options.

The mifepristone chemical abortion procedure is a two-day regimen used to terminate early pregnancies during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The drug mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex, blocks the hormone progesterone needed to sustain a healthy pregnancy and developing child. Mifepristone ultimately kills the unborn child by weakening the uterine lining. Misoprostol stimulates uterine contractions to expel the dead child.

The abortion pill reversal procedure allows a woman to save her unborn child should she regret her chemical abortion. Time is of the essence. During the first two days, so long as a woman has not taken the second drug misoprostol, it may be possible to reverse the effects of mifepristone by taking high doses of progesterone. The abortion pill reversal procedure is successful in 64-68% of cases. In Ohio, 32 physicians provide the abortion pill reversal procedure.

The following statement may be attributed to Mary Parker, Director of Legislative Affairs at Ohio Right to Life:

“Ohio Right to Life is proud to support the Abortion Pill Reversal Information Act. This bill helps ensure that a woman has all the facts to make an informed decision regarding her chemical abortion. No woman should be forced to complete an abortion that she regrets. We want her to know that there could be a second chance at life for her unborn child through the abortion pill reversal procedure.”

Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 40 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.

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