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Statehouse News Bureau

The Statehouse News Bureau provides educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations.

Ohio Legislature Passes Another Bill Limiting Abortion

By Jo Ingles

Published December 21, 2020 at 9:13 PM EST

State lawmakers have sent to Gov. Mike DeWine a bill that would prohibit doctors from using telemedicine to prescribe abortion medication, the second bill limiting abortion the state legislature has approved in recent weeks.

NARAL Pro Choice Ohio Policy Director Jaime Miracle said it is yet another way to make abortion less accessible to poor women.

“In the middle of a pandemic, when we are encouraging people to stay home and not travel, to pass a bill limiting access to telemedicine and further limiting access to abortion takes a whole new level," Miracle said.

Ohio Right to Life praised the bill, saying telemedicine should not be used for abortions.

Last week, lawmakers passed a bill requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains from abortions, but not miscarriages. DeWine is expected to sign both bills into law.