We have all seen the ads in favor of Issue 1 stating that it is needed because women need to have access to abortions and miscarriage care. These are false claims that must be challenged.

The Ohio Revised code specifically distinguishes abortion from miscarriage (see Section 2919.11). Abortion involves a living human being; in a miscarriage, death has already occurred. Miscarriage care is NOT abortion. In his recent analysis of Issue 1 (available online at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Ballot-Initiatives), Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost stated frankly that, âOhio has no restrictions on miscarriage care.ã The fact is that Issue 1 has nothing to do with miscarriage care. Whether it passes or fails is completely irrelevant to this topic, contrary to the lies being spread.

Next, letás examine the claim that Issue 1 needs to pass because women need access to abortions. This is such a misleading claim. The fact is that abortion is available in Ohio and will continue to be available whether Issue 1 passes or not.

So what really would change if Issue 1 passes? In his analysis, the Ohio Attorney General shows voters what is at stake. He writes, âAll told, the Amendmentás new standard goes beyond pre-Dobbs law under Roe and Casey. That means that many Ohio laws would probably be invalidated ä even those that were allowed under Roe and/or Casey.ã

Among other things, Issue 1 would remove parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortion, repeal Ohioás ban on partial-birth and dismemberment abortions, remove the limit on late-term abortion (currently set at 22 weeks), and end Ohioás ban on taxpayer funding for abortion.

Issue 1 is truly radical. As the Attorney General explains, âThe Amendment would give greater protection to abortion to be free from regulation than at any time in Ohioás history…The Amendment would not return things to how they were before Dobbs overruled Roe, and is not just àrestoring Roe.á It goes further.ã

Issue 1 is not about legalizing abortion ­ itás about radicalizing abortion by taking away any regulations, limits, and protections for women, parents, and minors. Issue 1 is worse than Roe.

Joseph Schmidt

Marietta, Ohio