MORE: Kettering abortion provider appeals to Ohio Supreme Court to stay open
Supporters say Dayton will lose its only abortion clinic — Women’s Med Center of Kettering — unless it gets a transfer agreement with a local, private hospital.
“Premier Health claims to be structured to support every need, yet they decline to sign a transfer agreement to protect access to abortion for West Central Ohio. Abortion access is a crucial part of full reproductive care that Dayton needs,” according to NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Statewide Field Manager Kelley Freeman.
“On this national day of action, pro-choice activists in greater Dayton will continue to draw attention to the importance of keeping safe, legal abortion care in their community,” Freeman said. “The consistent message is to trust patients to make their own medical decisions without political interference.”
Attorneys for Women’s Med last week filed an appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court in its fight to remain open.
A transfer agreement means that an area hospital would accept patients from the clinic in emergencies, but Women’s Med supporters said hospitals must do that anyway. They called the requirement politically motivated.
Without the transfer agreement, Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has refused to renew the center’s ambulatory surgical facility license.
The Second District Court of Appeals sided with ODH.
Access to abortion is not necessary to women’s good health and does not lead to lower infant mortality rates as pro-abortion advocates claim, says Margie Christie, Dayton executive director of Right to Life.
MORE: Federal lawsuit filed to challenge Ohio’s heartbeat abortion ban law
“Premier Health should not be bullied into this agenda by inaccurate or misleading information,” Christie said.
State Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, feels that Tuesday’s protest amounts to bullying Premier Health.
“Targeting our region’s largest employer in this manner is a shameful political tactic. I stand in support of Premier Health and their decision not to grant a transfer agreement,” he said.
WHAT: Stop The Bans — Dayton Rally
WHERE: Premier Health Partners, 110 N Main St, Dayton
WHEN: Today, 12:30 p.m.
WHO: Abortion rights supporters organized by NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, District 10 Indivisible for All, Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance, Dayton Women’s Resistance
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