Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said during Thursday’s COVID-19 press briefing that an investigation is ongoing relative to abortion clinics in violation of the Department of Health order that cancelled all elective surgeries.
As The Ohio Star reported, at least one abortion clinic, Women’s Med Center (WMC) is still performing abortion procedures.
DeWine responded to a reporter’s direct question, asking what would an abortion clinic have to do to violate the order.
The reason for the initial order, explained DeWine, is the need to preserve personal protection equipment.
He clarified, “So, it applies to abortion clinics, as it applies to other clinics.”
The governor said allegations have been made, and that there is an investigation ongoing with abortion clinics. He added that the order is clear that elective surgery is not permitted.
The Ohio Attorney General’s office said that if non-essential or elective surgical abortions were not immediately stopped, the Department of Health will take all appropriate measures.
Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, said that the violations are being investigated “in our usual survey process,” and they are ongoing.
Meanwhile, both WMC, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio and Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio have reportedly made statements that they consider abortion to be an essential procedure, implying that there is no intention to stop performing the procedures.
Neither DeWine nor Acton gave an indication as to when the investigation will be complete or what actions will be taken for the violations.
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Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.
Photo “Mike DeWine” by The Ohio Channel.
