Over 100 medical professionals and medical organizations file an amicus brief calling on the court to end surgical abortions

COLUMBUS – One hundred twenty-two medical professionals and organizations representing thousands of professionals from across the country have filed a brief with the Southern District of Ohio urging the court to save lives and end elective surgical abortion during the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout the state and nation, doctors and patients are making incredible sacrifices to preserve medical equipment and life-saving personal protection equipment (PPE). Yet the abortion industry continues to waste these life-saving resources to destroy lives.

“In this growing public health crisis, every mask, gown, bed, and pint of blood counts. Patients and healthcare providers have put their lives and livelihoods on hold to combat COVID-19. Abortion providers should not be privileged above everyone else in this fight,” the brief argues. “We ask the Court to rule in favor of the Defendants and allow proper enforcement of the Ohio Department of Health Elective Procedures Ban limiting surgical abortions.”

You can read the brief here.

The brief was filed on Thursday afternoon, and was drafted by Phillip Williamson of Taft and CCV’s Legal Counsel Rachel Citak. The 122 medical professionals include doctors, nurses, and pharmacists from across the state of Ohio.

Also on the brief are the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists (AAPLOG), a national professional medical organization of 4,800 obstetrician-gynecologist members and associates, and the American College of Pediatricians (ACP), a national medical organization of 600 pediatric physicians and health professionals seeking to ensure that all children reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being.  

The brief is supporting Attorney General Dave Yost’s defense of Governor Mike DeWine’s Health Department which ordered a prohibition on all “non-essential surgeries and procedures” during the pandemic.

Instead of complying with the order like all other medical institutions, Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics throughout the state have continued with business as usual. In late March, a number of abortion clinics amended their lawsuit against the state’s Heartbeat Bill to be able to continue to defy the Governor’s order.

Judge Michael Barrett issued a 14-day Temporary Restraining Order, blocking the order from impacting the abortion industry.

“We’ve always known the abortion industry shows little regard for the dignity of life, but their actions through this crisis are a new low,” said Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values, which drafted the brief on behalf of the medical professionals. “The abortion industry is putting profits over people, and are wasting government time and resources with their ongoing legal challenges. We’re all doing our part to stop the spread. It’s time they stop wasting life-saving resources to destroy lives.”

For more information, contact Citizens for Community Values at info@ccv.org, or 513.733.5775. 

As Ohio’s Family Policy Council, Citizens for Community Values seeks the good of our neighbors throughout Ohio by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. We endeavor to create an Ohio where God’s blessings of life, family, and religious freedom are treasured, respected, and protected.

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