The information on this page is updated & accurate as of 6.25.22 at 2:30 pm. We will update this page as we receive new information.
If you are an Ohioan seeking abortion access out of state due to restrictions or are at risk of missing your appointment because you don't have the funds, transportation, or are experiencing other logistical issues, please visit our help page, fill out our intake form, or call 614-300-7811. We can help.
ABORTION IS LEGAL IN OHIO UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS GESTATION
The ban requires patients to undergo tests to detect fetal heart tones prior to an abortion. If any cardiac activity is detected, abortion is prohibited except when there is serious risk of death or substantial impairment of a major bodily function. You can find more information about the enacted bill on the legislature’s website here.
Key things to know:
If you need an abortion—time is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL. Regardless of how long you've been pregnant, reach out to us if you need help paying for your procedure, any practical support needs, or help accessing care.
- At six weeks, many folks don't know that they're pregnant
- This ban will decimate access to abortion in the state
- Providers could be prosecuted for performing abortions
- Study after study shows that restricting access to abortion only harms our communities
- This ban does not make exceptions in cases of rape or incest
Information on safe, effective self-managed abortion via medication is available at the following sites:
Plan C pills - includes information and resources about medication abortion, including how and where to access medication abortion pills, and other general educational info.
Miscarriage and abortion hotline - confidential hotline of licensed healthcare providers available to answer (call or text) medical questions during your miscarriage or abortion. 5am-11pm PT/8am-2am ET 833-246-2632.
Repro Help Line — Managed by If/When/How, provides free & confidential legal information and support to help folks navigate laws on in-clinic abortion, self-managed abortions, and judicial bypass (for folks under 18).
Self-Managed Abortion; Safe and Supported (SASS) - this website provides information about how to use abortion pills to end an unwanted pregnancy, with or without a clinician.
Reprocare - Anonymous healthline that provides peer-based emotional support, medical information, and referrals to people having an abortion at home with pills. (Available call/text in Spanish & English).
ABOUT WHO/O AND ABORTION FUNDS
Women Have Options (WHO/O) is Ohio’s statewide abortion fund. Founded in 1992, we are an organization dedicated to helping Ohioans afford their reproductive choices. We believe that everyone should be able to make their own reproductive decisions—and we work to make that a reality in Ohio. We are a founding member of the National Network of Abortion Funds, which includes more than 100 abortion funds around the United States and overseas.
WHAT WE DO
We provide financial assistance and practical support (transportation, housing, and more) to help patients afford contraception, emergency contraception, and abortion services. We distribute funds to clinics throughout Ohio. These clinics, in turn, use the funds to provide financial assistance to those in need. Since 1992, Women Have Options has helped thousands pay for their reproductive choices.
- Many of our clients have Medicaid, but Medicaid does not cover abortion care in Ohio.
- We serve people who have an appointment at abortion clinics in Ohio.
- Patients access assistance through our partner clinics in Ohio during their initial visit to the clinic or by emailing our case manager.
- All of our funds come from private donations and foundations.
NOTE: WHO/O is gender inclusive—our name was created nearly 30 years ago, and is currently being updated to reflect our commitment to serving and uplifting folks with marginalized gender identities. WHO/O uses general neutral language (like “folks” or “people”) when describing who needs access to abortion. Patients of all genders are encouraged to reach out to us if they need help accessing abortion.
INFO ON OHIO’S TRIGGER BAN
As of 6/25/2022, Ohio’s current trigger ban, House Bill 598 (also SB 123), is still in committee hearings. HB 598 has been heard in the House Government Oversight Committee three times thus far.
While passing a ban can (and has previously) go quickly, the Ohio Legislature is currently on summer recess, meaning that they’d need to reconvene for a special session if they were to come back before the fall session begins in November. Stay up-to-date by following ourselves and our partners for credible, accurate information on abortion access in Ohio.
Many of our clients have Medicaid, but Medicaid does not cover abortion care in Ohio. We serve people who have an appointment at abortion clinics in Ohio. Patients access assistance through our partner clinics in Ohio during their initial visit to the clinic or by emailing our case manager.
ABOUT FUNDING ABORTION IN OHIO
100% of WHO/O’s grassroots funds go directly back to our communities. Our staff & administrative costs are maintained by private grantors and supportive foundations. So far this year, WHO/O has already doled out $300,000 in individual pledges & in grants to Ohio’s clinics.
Ohio has three funds that you can support:
- WHO/O is Ohio’s statewide abortion fund (serves all Ohioans)
- Aggie Fund is a Toledo-based fund (serves folks in NW Ohio)
- Preterm is a Cleveland-based fund (serves folks in NE Ohio)
GET INVOLVED & FIND ACCURATE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT ABORTION IN OHIO
—> If you need help accessing abortion care, CLICK HERE.
—> If you would like to help someone access abortion care, DONATE TODAY.
—> If you would like to be notified when we have volunteer opportunities, CLICK HERE.
You can follow along with WHO/O to keep up-to-date on the latest news on abortion in Ohio. Find resources on funding and practical support on our website, sign up for our email list, check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for daily updates.
WHO/O also partners with a number of amazing local, state, regional, and national organizations that you can depend on for accurate information on abortion, resources, events, action items, and more. You can find a full list of our partners on our website here.
For a short list, here are just a couple orgs that you can look to (A-Z)
American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio (ACLU of Ohio)
Ohio Women’s Alliance (OWA) & Ohio Women’s Alliance Action Fund (OWAAF)
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Pro-Choice OhioNational Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF)
Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT)
Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE)