Ohio's new abortion amendment is in effect but doctors are reluctant to make any big changes

Issue 1, Ohio’s new voter-passed amendment that enshrines abortion rights into the state constitution, went into effect Thursday. But while legal scholars say the new reproductive rights amendment is a big deal, doctors are still practicing under the same rules that were in place before the Nov. 7 vote.

Even though legal scholars say laws like the 24-hour waiting period to get an abortion are no longer constitutional, doctors say they say they don’t want to get involved in a legal fight. Dr. Jeanne Corwin, an OB/GYN in Cincinnati, said there hasn’t been clear guidance given to doctors, leaving them in limbo.

“We don’t want to become felons, end up in jail or lose our medical license so we will continue to follow all of the rules and laws that we have always followed,” Corwin said.

Corwin and other doctors said they’ll continue to operate as they are now until a court rules something invalid, or until state leaders make it clear a rule is no longer going to be enforced, or the Ohio State Medical Board offers guidance. And Dr. Marcela Azavedo, president of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, said it’s important to note the makeup of the medical board.

“One of its major players is Mike Gonidakis, who is the president of Ohio Right to Life,” Azavedo said.