The “heartbeat bill” passed by Ohio legislators is considered controversial by many and already dubbed as the most stringent abortion restriction in the country, Governor John Kasich is expected to “choose life” by signing the bill into law. 

• The “heartbeat bill” would prohibit most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy after the first detectable heartbeat.
• Republican John Kasich has not said with certainty whether he plans to sign the measure already approved by the state senate.
• The state senate president, Keith Faber, a Republican from Celina, said the twice-defeated bill came back up again because of Donald Trump’s presidential victory and the expectation he would fill supreme court vacancies with justices who are more likely to uphold stricter abortion bans.
• Because similar measures have been struck down in lower courts in North Dakota and Arkansas opposition is expected. Keith Faber said: “I think it has a better chance than it did before.” The ban would make an exception if the mother’s life were in danger but not in cases of rape or incest, he said.
• NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio said the move would block access to abortion before most women even know they’re pregnant.
• Under the US supreme court’s 1973 Roe v Wade ruling establishing a nationwide right to abortion, states were permitted to restrict abortions after viability – the point when the fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving under normal conditions outside the uterus.
• Ohio House also heard testimony about a possible ban on abortions after 20 weeks.

Article by The Guardian / LISTEN TO TRUNEWS analysis.