The number of abortions in Ohio last year went down for the fourth year in a row, and is now at the lowest level on record.
Activists on opposing sides of the abortion debate can't agree on reasons to explain the drop.
There were more than 20,000 surgical abortions in Ohio last year, and 300 fewer than the year before. Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis says the numbers are down because of a holistic approach to pregnancy and women’s health.
“We believe it’s a combination of our pregnancy centers, pro-life laws, access to Medicaid expansion,” Gonidakis said.
But Jaime Miracle at NARAL/Pro Choice Ohio says fewer women are getting pregnant overall, and she notes an increase in single dose abortion medication because of a change in federal policy.
“We need science-based policies, not these continuous attacks from Ohio Right to Life and the Ohio Legislature on access to health care,” Miracle said.
The 2016 number is less than half of the state’s record number of abortions – more than 45,000 – set in 1982.
