Planned Parenthood sues over Ohio telemedicine abortion ban – By Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) / April 2 2021
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Planned Parenthood has sued to block an Ohio law banning the use of telemedicine for medication abortions as unconstitutional, adding to a lengthening list of attempted restrictions on the procedure that are now tied up in court.
With the law set to take effect April 12, the organization asked for immediate relief from the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court in a lawsuit filed late Thursday against the Ohio Department of Health, the state Medical Board and prosecutors in the state’s three largest counties.
The lawsuit marks the latest in a string of court challenges to additional abortion restrictions attempted by the Republicans who lead both chambers of the state Legislature.
Courts have blocked bans on dilation and evacuation, or D&E abortions; on abortions in cases where a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis is a factor; and on all abortions after detection of the first fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into pregnancy before many women know they are pregnant.
