Leaders of reproductive rights groups and abortion-providing health clinics say some of the most dangerous provisions of the Ohio budget survived revisions by both the House and Senate.
Joining with existing laws that exclude abortion clinics from receiving state funding, the budget passed late Monday night includes provisions to restrict ambulatory surgical facility physicians, a clause to allow medical professionals to pick and choose patient care.
“This is not our Ohio, and not our budget,” said Jaime Miracle, deputy director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, at a Tuesday press conference following the budget approval.
In the budget that passed the House with an 82-13 vote and was approved by the Senate 32 to 1, the legislature kept a Senate-added provision in the Ohio Department of Health’s budget regarding ambulatory surgical facilities (ASFs), which include facilities that provide abortion services.
The provision amends existing law on written medical transfer agreements, requiring that a consulting physician for an ASF actively practice clinical medicine within 25 miles of the facility. The physician must also have admitting privileges at a hospital within the same distance.
