Reps. Newman, Gross Hold Press Conference on Abortion Pill Reversal Informed Consent Bill

COLUMBUS-State Representatives Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) and Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) yesterday held a press conference on new legislation to ensure women have timely access to information on Abortion Pill Reversal Treatment, empowering them to make fully informed decisions about their future and health.

House Bill 783 will require abortion providers to provide women timely and helpful information about their options if they want to reverse a chemical abortion after the process has already begun.

"More than 8,000 babies have been saved from the abortion reversal pill," said Newman. "This is important legislation that supports women and protects life."

"This measure puts women and their babies first - providing hope, help and real second chances," said Gross.

Key highlights of the bill are as follows:

Requires abortion providers to give patients printed discharge instructions, including the Ohio Department of Health's (ODH) pill reversal hotline and website, and a notice about Abortion Pill Reversal Treatment immediately after administering mifepristone during a chemical abortion;
Outlines legal actions that can be taken against providers who do not abide by the requirements outlined by the bill;
Requires ODH to provide information regarding Abortion Pill Reversal Treatment on its website and establish a toll-free pill reversal hotline; and
Creates the unborn child education and public information fund in the state treasury, to be used for the website, hotline, materials, and health care provider training required under the bill.

"Ohio Right to Life is proud to support a bill that has the potential to save many babies in Ohio," said Carrie Snyder, Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life. "Abortion pill reversal has been shown to be safe and effective and for women who regret taking the first abortion drug, it is only an extension of informed consent to let them know that it could be possible. With the use of chemical abortions growing in Ohio this is a bright spot of hope."

"Everyone knows what it feels like to regret an important decision and wish that we could go back in time and do things differently," said David Mahan, Policy Executive Director of Center for Christian Virtue. "But what if it was a life or death decision? How much more might we wish we could give anything to reverse that decision and potentially save a life- maybe even the life of our own child??? This is the medical miracle of Abortion Pill Reversal, and regardless of our politics, every mother deserves to know that she can potentially save the life of her unborn child if she so chooses."

If taken within the first 24 hours following the mifepristone pill, Abortion Pill Reversal Treatment has been documented as saving thousands of babies' lives across the country.

Watch the full press conference here.

House Bill 783 awaits a committee assignment.