Doctors would be required to report cases of babies born alive after abortions or attempted abortions, under legislation approved Wednesday by the GOP-controlled Ohio Senate.The bill would also ban abortion clinics from working with doctors who teach at state-funded hospitals and medical schools.
The measure sponsored by Republican state Sens. Terry Johnson, a retired doctor, and Steve Huffman, a practicing physician, would direct the state Health Department to create a “child survival form” to be submitted 15 days after a woman is discharged from a hospital.
Ohio law already punishes doctors who don’t take efforts to save the lives of babies born alive after abortions. The bill expands the law by including a new crime of “purposely failing to take measures to preserve the health or life of a child.”
In cases of procedures in abortion clinics, doctors must provide care to a baby born alive, call 911 and arrange transportation to a hospital, under the proposal.
The bill “is another step in our continued commitment to uphold the sanctity of human life,” Huffman said.
Democrats called the bill a redundant attack on abortion rights, noting doctors are already required to provide appropriate medical care in all situations.