Friends,
I recently stood with Ohio Democrats in support of Issue One, which would protect reproductive rights in the Ohio Constitution and prevent laws like the GOP’s extremist anti-abortion ban from taking effect.
As an OB-GYN – as well as an Ohio state representative – I know firsthand exactly how important that protection is. Issue One isn’t about politics, and it’s not even just about abortion access. It’s also about the right to IVF, contraception, and the right of all to make the healthcare and reproductive decisions that are right for us, without interference from the government or politicians with no medical experience or background.
We’ve seen the consequences of such an extremist ban right here in Ohio. Last summer, when the GOP ban was in effect, physicians and patients weren’t sure what options they had. This led to a lot of confusion, and to patients being sent out of state for care – including a ten-year-old who needed abortion care.
But during that same period, there were women in hospitals facing life-threatening situations, and doctors like myself and my colleagues faced with the prospect of losing their patient or their license.
These are the same circumstances playing out in other states with such restrictions – like Idaho, where maternity centers are shutting down and doctors are leaving the state rather than come to a place where the care they could provide would be criminalized and their own ability to have a family impacted.
I’m working every day to care for Ohio women and families. And the best prescription I can write is for Ohio to vote YES on Issue One by November 7.
But time is running out, and it’s all hands on deck. So I’m asking, right now: Will you pitch in $10 to help support the fight for reproductive healthcare and elect Democrats in Ohio who will stand up for our healthcare access and our fundamental rights?
Thank you for standing up in this important fight.
Dr. Anita Somani
OB-GYN
Ohio State Representative, HD 11
