To the editor:
Issue 1 would establish a constitutional right to an individual's autonomy over reproductive decisions, including birth control, fertility treatment and abortion. These decisions should not be made by any government entity.
Issue 1 allows for abortion before the point of "fetal viability." Fetal viability is the point in pregnancy when the fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus. This is generally considered to be 23-24 weeks of gestation. It further provides legal protections to any person, including doctors, who assists a person with receiving reproductive medical treatment.
Issue 1 allows "an unborn child to be aborted at any stage of pregnancy, regardless of viability if, in the treating physician's determination, the abortion is necessary to protect the pregnant woman's life or health." The choice of language here is unfortunate. This language makes it sound like it allows a baby to be aborted right up until the time of delivery. No physician would abort a fetus at or near term. Those against Issue 1 would like you to think that would happen. Realistically, if a pregnancy was at or near term, and the pregnant woman's life or health was at risk, the fetus would just be delivered either by vaginal route or c-section. If the fetus was "aborted" at or near term, the delivery would be much more difficult and the woman's life and health more at risk.
Issue 1 does not address healthcare decisions related to minor children. The laws in Ohio related to minors will not change if Issue 1 passes.
Issue 1 only needs a simple majority to pass, so the most important thing you can do to protect reproductive rights in Ohio is vote.
Dr. Tina Cutone
Steubenville