The legal landscape as it relates to the topic of abortion is changing. There are several important legal cases pending verdicts in the Supreme Court. The landmark case “Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization” heard arguments a few weeks ago and will be decided this summer. There are many legislators and lawyers who believe that it is possible that Roe vs. Wade will be reversed with the Dobbs decision. If this happens, the question of the legality of abortion will be returned to the State level. States across the nation have been preparing themselves for this possible reality. States like New York and California have moved toward enshrining the right to abortion into their state law. So, what would happen here in Ohio?
Thankfully, Governor DeWine and his administration have proven to be a friend to those who work for the dignity of all women and their unborn children. The State of Ohio has dedicated 6 million dollars over the next two years to support the work of pregnancy centers through their Pregnancy and Parenting Program. This year, we were blessed to be one of the recipients of this grant. Moreover, there are several pieces of legislation introduced in the House that would protect the rights of the unborn should the Supreme Court reverse Roe vs. Wade. It is likely that in a post-Roe world, abortion would be banned in the State of Ohio.
But what does it mean for the work of our Pregnancy Center if abortion is banned? There is an experiment going on right now in the State of Texas. As you may be aware, Texas recently passed a very restrictive law banning abortions after 6 weeks, the gestational age at which a heartbeat can typically be detected. While there may be further legal challenges to this law, for now it has been upheld by the Supreme Court. There have been several immediate effects in Texas. For one, abortions dropped 50% in the month after the ban and many abortion providers stopped providing abortions in Texas. However, there was also a significant increase in women traveling to nearby states to obtain abortions. And the realities of our modern world mean that women can often purchase the abortion pill online, even without a prescription.
Pregnancy Centers in Texas are reporting that they have seen a significant increase in clients seeking their services. Many of these women feel desperate or trapped—a feeling that is often expressed by women in an unplanned pregnancy but can be amplified by the political or social atmosphere. Some women were afraid to talk to Pregnancy Center personnel for fear of retribution, due to the Texas law’s allowance for lawsuits to be brought against those who aid or abet abortion procedures. Texas Pregnancy Centers have responded by reassuring their clients that their role is not to report a woman legally, but rather to provide her with free, confidential, life-affirming, and Christ-centered counsel, support, and resources.
As a Pregnancy Center, we are preparing ourselves to continue to serve women and families no matter what changes take place legally. On December 2, 2021, I was honored to attend a meeting with Governor DeWine and several other leaders of the Pregnancy Center movement in Ohio. There were several topics discussed—the need for continued financial support of Pregnancy Centers, the need for increased public awareness of what a Pregnancy Center is and the work that we do, and the need for State safety laws that restrict online access to the abortion pill. Governor DeWine expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the important work that we are doing.
With the funds received from the State of Ohio in 2022, we will be strengthening the programs we offer to women and families. We have monies to purchase a new ultrasound machine so clients can better see the life within their womb. We will provide ultrasound training to a new medical provider so that we can increase availability of our ultrasound program to clients. We will also significantly increase the financial and material goods support that we can provide to clients, including provision of strollers, highchairs, and transportation vouchers. At our new location, which is handicap accessible, we will be expanding our hours to improve our client’s access to our services. We are getting prepared to walk with many more of God’s children this coming year.
Will you continue to pray for us and support us in this coming year? Most especially, continue to pray for the women who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy—that they may find care that affirms their worth and dignity as a child of God and the resources they need to live fulfilled lives.
I want to express my impassioned gratitude for your on-going support of us and may you and yours enjoy many blessings in 2022!
In Christ,
Theresa Ward