Ohio Abortion Clinics Required to Provide Ultrasounds, Alternatives
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland made into law Friday a measure that requires abortion practitioners to give women ultrasounds of their unborn child and make clear the many alternatives to abortion available to them.
Pro-life groups praised the new bill, noting that ultrasounds would significantly reduce the number of abortions throughout the state.
According to a 2004 study done by A Women's Concern (AWC), an organization dedicated to "compassionate peer-counseling to women and couples who are making decisions about unintended pregnancies," less than a fourth of women chose to pursue an abortion after they were given ultrasounds and made clear their available alternatives to abortion.
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"This bill is reflective of a national trend that recognizes the ability of ultrasound technology to provide mothers with the opportunity to see the development of their unborn child in real-time," commented Mary Spaulding Balch, pro-life attorney and state legislation director for the National Right to Life, according to Lifenews.com.
"The abortion decision is one which cannot be undone and women deserve to have all the facts," she added.
The Ohio Right to Life chapter also noted the practicality of the new soon-to-be-enacted law.
"Just as patients are often shown X-rays before surgery, ultrasounds provide scientifically accurate information that women should have an opportunity to view in order to make a more informed decision," Ohio Right to Life told Lifenews.com.
Last week's signing of the bill by Ohio's governor came after the state legislature voted by a 2-3 majority to pass the Ultrasound Viewing Option Bill during two different sessions back in December and March.
With the addition of Ohio, there are now thirteen states that require abortion practitioners to offer ultrasounds to women.
An additional eleven other states have similar laws, including Louisiana which requires ultrasounds "in cases when the mother is considering an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy."
According to Ohio Right to Life, the new law will take effect in 90 days.
