CCO Testified in Support of the Patient Protection Act
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in front of the Senate Health Committee in support of House Bill 324 (R-A. Mathews | R-Craig), the Patient Protection Act. The bill previously passed the House. CCO stated, "HB 324 employs reasonable safeguards on the dispensing of medications known to cause serious adverse effects by requiring that patients be assessed and fully informed as to the associated risks in order to be free to consent to a recommended course of treatment." Due regard for the dignity of human life and the integral good of each person warrants more prudent and humane measures when dispensing pharmaceuticals with a higher rate of adverse effects.
Read the full testimony >
Ohio House Passes CCO-Support HB 347, SHE WINS Act
Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent passed the Ohio House of Representatives. HB 347 requires a physician to meet with a woman at least 24 hours before an abortion and provide information on alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
CCO Testifies in Support of HB 347, SHE WINS Act
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent. The Catholic Church accompanies pregnant women in need through authentic friendship and ongoing support. "Community-based efforts such as Walking with Moms in Need connect women with resources and assistance, helping them to simultaneously welcome their children and achieve their goals,” testified CCO. The testimony continued, "HB 347 ensures women are informed of alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. … We urge the Committee to support women by ensuring that they are liberated from the freedom-limiting coercion of difficult circumstances and unsupportive or despairing voices, and instead empowered with knowledge that elicits hope for their future and that of their children."
House Passes CCO Supported HB 324, the Patient Protection Act
The Ohio House of Representatives passed CCO-supported House Bill 324 (R-Mathews and R-Craig), the Patient Protection Act, which would establish conditions for prescribing certain drugs that could cause severe adverse effects. As CCO testified, "HB 324 employs reasonable safeguards on the dispensing of medications known to cause serious adverse effects by prohibiting the sale of such drugs without a prescription and requiring that patients be fully informed as to the associated risks in order to be free to consent fully to a recommended course of treatment." The bill will now go to the Ohio Senate.
CCO Testified in Support of HB 410 to Prohibit Medicaid Funds for Certain Abortion Providers
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of House Bill 410 (R-Schmidt and R-Mathews) which would prohibit Medicaid funds for certain abortion providers. Quoting Pope St. John Paul II, the CCO stated, “‘There will never be justice, including equality, development and peace ... unless there is an unfailing determination to respect, protect, love and serve life – every human life, at every stage and in every situation.’ We urge legislators on both sides of the aisle to work together to ensure that every Ohioan has access to the healthcare services they need without joining the provision of those services to practices to which many are morally opposed in the depths of their conscience.”
CCO Testified in Support of HB 324, the Patient Protection Act
The Catholic Conference of Ohio (CCO) testified in support of House Bill 324 (R-Mathews and R-Craig), the Patient Protection Act, which would establish conditions for prescribing certain drugs that could cause severe adverse effects. "Due regard for the dignity of human life and the integral good of each person warrants the consideration of prudent measures for dispensing pharmaceuticals. ... HB 324 employs reasonable safeguards on the dispensing of medications known to cause serious adverse effects by prohibiting the sale of such drugs without a prescription and requiring that patients be fully informed as to the associated risks in order to be free to consent fully to a recommended course of treatment."
Click here to read the full testimony >
Ohio Senate Passed HB 7 (White, Humphrey) to support Early Childhood and Maternal Health
CCO supported House Bill 7, sponsored by Representatives Andrea White (R–Kettering) and Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus), which passed the Ohio Senate on December 18, 2024. After several amendments, the bill reforms early childhood and maternal health programs by clarifying and streamlining various processes. Senate members expressed their support during the committee process for appropriating funds in the upcoming State budget for the programs that HB 7 originally aimed to expand. The Ohio House concurred with the Senate changes, so the bill now goes to the desk of Governor DeWine.
CCO Statement Regarding Ohio Catholic Hospitals and Miscarriage Care
Over thirty Catholic hospitals, providing care to millions of patients in Ohio, affirm their commitment to delivering comprehensive healthcare for women and preborn children during pregnancy complications.
Contrary to common misconception, neither Catholic religious directives nor any state law restrict Catholic hospitals from responding to pregnancy complications. Catholic hospitals provide comprehensive miscarriage care, treatment for ectopic pregnancies, and perform other life-saving measures through medical procedures in life-threatening circumstances.
Catholic hospitals play a critical role in maintaining public health. Regardless of the passage or failure of Issue 1 in November, the care they provide during a miscarriage or other pregnancy complications will remain comprehensive and committed to the well-being of mothers and preborn children. This commitment is an expression of respect for the dignity of all human beings and is central to their mission to carry out Jesus’s ministry of love and healing in the world today.
CCO Testifies on Bills to Enhance the Ability of Charitable Pharmacies to Provide Medication to Uninsured and Underinsured Ohioans and Promote Religious Freedom of Higher Ed Students
Last week, the Catholic Conference Ohio testified in support of two bills. HB 558 would enhance the ability of charitable pharmacies, hospitals, and nonprofit clinics to serve those needing expensive, life-saving medication. The CCO cited the tremendous work of St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacies in their efforts to help many low-income Ohioans and how this bill will allow them and other agencies the ability to receive and distribute expensive medication. HB 353 requires each state institution of higher education to adopt a policy providing students with religious accommodations. CCO's testimony emphasized that an essential duty of government is to protect the religious liberty of its citizens.
Judge Temporarily Blocks Enforcement of 'Heartbeat' Law
Conference Statement in Response to Hamilton County Ruling
The Catholic
Conference of Ohio is disappointed that on September 14, 2022, a Hamilton County Court blocked enforcement of the Heartbeat Law for 14 days. The law prohibits abortion when a child's heartbeat is detected. We remain hopeful that Ohio’s judiciary will restore the law and so assert that the Ohio Constitution cannot possibly ascertain the right to abort an unborn child. Catholic agencies throughout Ohio will continue to serve both mothers and pre-born children while the Conference advocates for laws that allow for the flourishing of all Ohioans, no matter their stage of development or circumstance.