Ohio

The State of Contraception: Ohio

The vast majority of Americans - 90 percent according to surveys - support the right to contraception. But states across the country are threatening our right to common forms of birth control like the pill, IUDs, and Plan B.

In the case that overturned Roe v Wade, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas voiced support for overturning the constitutional right to contraception – a right established in Griswold v. Connecticut in 1965. Specifically, Thomas wrote that the decision recognizing the right to contraception for married couples (Griswold) should be “reconsider[ed].” 

A few weeks later, 195 House Republicans voted against the “Right to Contraception Act,” including 10 member of Congress from our state. That same year, Ohio lawmakers introduced a bill that could have effectively banned common forms of birth control, including IUDs.

Luckily, Ohioans took action and in 2023, we voted to protect our fundamental freedom to plan our families by passing Issue 1. This ballot measure ensures that a right to contraception is in our state constitution.

But nationwide, GOP Senators blocked the Right to Contraception Act. Here is how Ohio’s Senators voted on this bill: 

Senator Sherrod Brown cosponsored and voted for the Right to Contraception Act. Senator JD Vance did not vote.

Some Ohio politicians stood strongly against Issue 1, on the grounds that fetuses should have protection "from the moment of conception," which could jeopardize access to emergency birth control and IVF. Such legislation is a gateway for restricting contraception and potentially banning common forms of birth control, including IUDs. Fetal protection laws also threaten IVF. While Issue 1 passed, some politicians still want to override the will of the voters and vow that they will “not give up” on the issue.

Learn more about the issue and the threat to our right to birth control.