Post-Roe Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet Regarding the Dobbs Decision
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Overview:
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision has been officially released. In the decision, the majority opinion of the court decided to officially overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and return the issue of abortion back to individual states. The decision came out after a draft of the opinion was leaked to Politico in an unprecedented fashion on May 2.
The justices that ruled in favor of the majority were Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Samuel Alito, Clearance Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
What does this decision mean?
Unfortunately, this decision does not end abortion in the United States or the state of Ohio. Now that the United States Supreme Court has overturned Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey, the ability to outlaw abortion returns to each state. The Dobbs decision—while stating that abortion is not a constitutional right—does not outlaw the practice. However, states can now develop their own policies concerning abortion. Here in Ohio, we will work until every life conceived is given the first fundamental right, the right to life, and abortion is abolished for good!
What comes now?
Legislatively:
At Ohio Right to Life, we are working to end all legal abortions by the end of 2022.
From June 24 to September 14, the Heartbeat law was enforced. The Heartbeat Law ends abortion the moment a heartbeat is detected, roughly around 7-10 weeks. However, as of September 14, 2022, Hamilton County Judge, Christian Jenkins, enjoined the law again, making abortion legal in Ohio up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. This case will likely be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court within the next year to decide whether or not there is a right to an abortion under Ohio’s constitution. Due to the recent election, the court will likely rule in favor of life, upholding all pro-life laws currently blocked from being enforced.
Currently, Ohio does not have a law that ends abortion from conception. However, Ohio Right to Life is working on passing the Human Life Protection Act, which will effectively end all abortions from conception. Right now, the bill is working its way through the House and with your help will be passed after the November Election and sent to Governor DeWine to sign before the end of 2022.
In the Community:
There will be abundant fathers, mothers, and babies in need who require community support. Our focus, as it has always been, will be to support these families and show them that there is genuine hope for their future. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The work currently being done by local crisis pregnancy centers will more than likely increase in volume. They will need both our financial support and that of volunteers.
Education:
The issue of abortion stems much deeper than simply Roe v Wade. This issue is deeply rooted in society and our morality surrounding family, sex, and the creation of children. The nation has bought into the pervasive lie that the sexual act can be separated entirely from creating a new human life. Our society preaches that sex is merely for pleasure and only sometimes, if you plan for it, for children. The purpose of sex has completely been flipped on its head, and we need to combat this. Sex has both a unitive and procreative purpose, and we need to educate the public about this scientific reality.
Beyond educating about the beauty of the family, we need to proclaim the dignity of the human person and the blessings that every child brings. Every child conceived is made in God’s image and likeness, and his or her worth is beyond measure. Unfortunately, our society has forgotten the value of life. It is up to us to share just how incredible the human person is and actively reject the attitude that children are a burden.
Fighting for life and the family is the only way to win in the long run. Share the truth boldly in love without fear of retaliation. We cannot be silent while our culture is destroyed from the inside out.
Ohio Right to Life will continue to engage with high schools, colleges, and churches to proclaim the dignity of the human person and the beauty of sex, marriage, and the family!
Contact Us:
Please contact Ohio Right to Life with any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions that you might have. We would love to hear from you!
General Email Account
Peter Range, Executive Director
Elizabeth Whitmarsh, Director of Communications