Whip Clark, Rep. Sykes Host Reproductive Health Roundtable Conversation With Local Healthcare Providers

AKRON, OH - Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) for a roundtable conversation about the state of women's reproductive health and freedom in Ohio's 13th Congressional District. They were joined by Erica Wilson-Domer, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio; Jazmin Long, President and CEO of Birthing Beautiful Communities; Dr. Amy Burkett of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights; and Laura Donovan, a retired staff nurse.

"We are on the frontlines of a battle that will determine who we are as a nation - are we rooted in dignity and freedom, or cruelty and fear?" said Whip Clark. "Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with patients, providers, and champions like Rep. Sykes, we will restore the bodily autonomy of every woman in every zip code. Again and again, the American people have made it clear: Our freedom is non-negotiable."

"While Ohioans overwhelmingly voted to protect reproductive freedom in our state's constitution last November, the fight to access reproductive healthcare in Ohio's 13th Congressional District isn't over," said Rep. Sykes. "I was glad to host this roundtable with Whip Clark to hear directly from local healthcare providers and experts about the state of reproductive healthcare in our communities and the challenges they still face in providing this vital care. Roundtable discussions like these better connect our communities to our work in Congress, ensuring I can best serve the people of our district."

Roundtable participants discussed barriers to emergency abortion care for pregnant patients, and how the overturn of Roe v. Wade has weakened abortion training for physicians in states with strict anti-abortion laws. Panelists also emphasized the importance of access to contraception and fertility services, and overcoming racial disparities in access to reproductive healthcare. Rep. Sykes and Whip Clark recounted current legislative efforts at the federal level to defend reproductive freedom, including the Women's Health Protection Act and the Right to Contraception Act.

This timely conversation comes after a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge issued a preliminary injunction that will temporarily block enforcement of Ohio laws banning use of telemedicine in medication abortions, and prohibiting certified nurse midwives, physician assistants and other non-physician medical professionals from prescribing medication abortion pills. The court is also still considering a final ruling on Ohio's 6-week abortion ban law, which has been on hold since September 2022.

Nationally, the U.S. Supreme Court had the opportunity this Juneto reaffirm that federal law requires pregnant patients to have access to life-saving emergency care in every state, but instead, the Court kicked the can down the road and sent the case back down to the lower courts. This litigation will continue in the Court of Appeals, and the health and lives of pregnant people across the country remain at risk as chaos and uncertainty around emergency abortion care remains the norm.

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