Rep. Russo: HB 347 Undermines Healthcare, Ignores Ohio Voters, & Increases Costs for Families
COLUMBUS — State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today issued the following statement on House Bill (HB) 347, legislation requiring a 24-hour waiting period for patients accessing reproductive care:
“Today, many Ohioans find themselves in a place they can no longer afford to live,” said Rep. Russo. “They are facing high electric bills, grocery prices, gas prices, high rent, high medical bills, and high childcare costs. Yet here we are again, relitigating an issue that Ohio voters have made their voices clear on: they want politicians to stay out of their doctor’s offices when they are making reproductive decisions that are best for them and their families. No other procedure requires a 24-hour waiting period in state law except abortion. This bill is nothing more than one more attempt to make access to abortion care harder for Ohio women. The Ohio constitution is clear, and it’s about time we respected it.”
HB 347 threatens healthcare access by requiring doctors to provide information that is not supported by credible medical science, including unproven claims about reversing medication abortion. It also imposes unnecessary waiting periods and extra appointments, creating real financial and logistical burdens for families, including lost wages, childcare, transportation, and additional medical costs. These delays not only complicate care but can also increase health risks for patients.
House Democrats attempted to introduce an amendment on the House floor to make IVF/assistive reproductive treatments affordable for Ohioans by making it covered by insurance. House Republicans voted it down 64-29.
Beyond healthcare, HB 347 directly conflicts with the will of Ohio voters. The Reproductive Freedom Amendment, passed in 2023, guarantees that the state cannot burden, penalize, or interfere with reproductive healthcare decisions. This legislation attempts to bypass those protections by imposing new barriers and requirements that are redundant, unnecessary, and unconstitutional.
Instead of addressing Ohio’s affordability crisis, HB 347 diverts taxpayer resources to enforce medically inaccurate state mandates and creates unnecessary obstacles for patients and doctors. Each delay adds financial and logistical strain on families who are already struggling to make ends meet
House Democrats remain committed to protecting reproductive rights, ensuring patients receive accurate medical information, and advancing policies that make healthcare accessible and affordable. Ohioans should not face unnecessary barriers to care or additional financial burdens-policymakers must focus on protecting health, respecting choices, and making everyday life more affordable.