Ohio's new 'fetal heartbeat' bill is really terrifying for women's right to choose

It would see a ban on abortions after a heartbeat could be detected

ohio-abortion
(Image credit: Rex)

It would see a ban on abortions after a heartbeat could be detected

Ever since Donald Trump was voted into power in America, women across the country have been fighting to hold on to their reproductive rights in face of the soon-to-be Republican administration.

Now, the passing of the 'Fetal Heartbeat Bill' in Ohio by legislature last week has been helmed the 'least informed and most dangerous' law by protestors.

The bill would mean that abortions would be banned as soon as a fetal heartbeat could be detected, which is around the six-week mark, well before most women even know they're pregnant themselves.

The second 'pain capable' bill would completely prohibit abortions after the 20-week mark, in almost all circumstances, and would decrease the original 26 week cut-off point currently held in Ohio.

Ohio governor John Kasich said during the Republican presidential primaries that he is 'pro-life, with the exceptions of rape, incest and the life of the mother' and has 10 days to either sign or veto the bills.

If he chooses to do nothing, the bills will simply become law and will directly challenge the multiple Supreme Court rulings that state women have a constitutional right to an abortion until the point of viability, which is around 24 weeks.

The 'pain capable' bill would make Ohio the 15th US state to pass this 20-week abortion ban.

Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director, Kellie Copeland, has described the bill as 'out of touch with Ohio values and is completely unacceptable.'

The Executive Director went on to say, 'Once a woman has made the decision to end a pregnancy, she needs access to safe, legal healthcare in her community. This bill would effectively outlaw abortion and criminalise physicians that provide this care to their patients.'

This comes after news that women who miscarry in Northern Ireland may now be reported to the police on suspicion of having an abortion.

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