1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to you today as a deeply concerned constituent and a voter who, along with the majority of Ohioans, spoke clearly in 2023. We voted to enshrine the right to reproductive freedom in our state constitution. Despite this mandate, the introduction and advancement of HB 347—which seeks to re-institute a mandatory 24-hour waiting period—is a direct affront to the democratic process. The waiting period is not a medical necessity; it is a politically motivated barrier designed to make healthcare harder to access. These decisions belong strictly to a woman and her doctor. By continuing to litigate and restrict access that Ohioans already voted to protect, the legislature is ignoring the constitutional rights of its citizens. If this body is truly concerned with the well-being of children and families, I urge you to pivot your focus toward the crises that actually impact Ohio’s youth: - Food Insecurity: Addressing the high rates of hunger in our school systems. - Housing Stability: Ensuring families have safe, affordable places to live. - Healthcare Access: Expanding, not restricting, comprehensive medical care for all. Forcing people to give birth while neglecting the infrastructure needed to support those children is not pro-family. It is time for the Statehouse to stop playing politics with our bodies and start addressing the economic and social challenges facing our state. I ask that you respect the will of the voters and oppose HB 347 and any other legislation that seeks to erode our reproductive rights.