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Ohio political leaders, groups react to announcement of abortion clinic closure in Kettering

The Women’s Health Center in Kettering, the only facility in the Miami Valley that performs abortions, will no longer perform procedures within weeks and will close the entire facility by October, according to a spokesperson for the clinic.

>> RELATED: Women’s Health Center in Kettering to end abortion procedures; Clinic to close in October

Dayton Right to Life’s Executive Director Margie Christie said in a statement that the organization see’s this as a step towards an “abortion-free Miami Valley.” The statement reads in part:

“Women’s Med Dayton, has been in operation since the late 1980′s under the medical direction of Martin Haskell. It has not had a valid license for most of those years. Its “current” license, supposedly renewed on an annual basis, is 3 years old. Dayton Right to Life has been requesting information on the license status from the Ohio Department of Health,but have received no response to our public records request. Sidewalk volunteers reported to us late last week that the facility’s eventual closing was disclosed by some of its workers. Again, we have not confirmed any specific timing.

“In its history Dayton has had as many as 3 abortion facilities in operation at one time. The closure of this last facility would be a true testament to the many prayers and prolife supporters who have walked and prayed outside this facility for decades.” says Margie Christie, Executive Director.

Dayton Right to Life looks forward to the closure of this facility and an abortion-free Miami Valley. We will continue our 50-year history of supporting women and their families. The wounds inflicted on our community through the brutal killing of thousands of unborn children can now hopefully begin to heal. "

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Executive Director of Pro-Choice Ohio Kellie Copeland described the closure as a “heartbreaking loss”:

This is a heartbreaking loss for everyone in West Central Ohio. Immediately following the Dobbs decision Governor DeWine and AG Yost worked swiftly to ensure that Ohio cut access to abortion as quickly as possible, having a devastating impact on people who need abortion care, especially those who are unable to travel to get that care. The closure of these facilities will only further that harm. Whether a person needs an abortion because it endangers their health, or their birth control failed, no one should be forced to give birth because they cannot access the health care they need in their community. On behalf of the Pro-Choice Ohio family, I want to thank the entire Women’s Med Center team who understood that and provided decades of service to their patients.”

Democratic gubernatorial nominee and former mayor of Dayton Nan Whaley released the following statement:

“With the closure of this clinic, women in Dayton and surrounding areas will be forced to travel farther distances for lifesaving health care. This is what’s happening in Mike DeWine’s Ohio. Voters have a chance this November to reject Governor DeWine’s government mandate that takes away a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.”

>> U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

State Representative Jena Powell said in a statement the closure was a “big win” for Ohio:

“This anticipated closure is a huge win for Ohio and a massive step toward protecting the lives of all preborn children. The greater Dayton community has taken many strides to support the most vulnerable, and protect the lives of pregnant women and their preborn children. If you are a mom in need in Dayton and the surrounding areas, there are many resources and pregnancy resource centers in the community ready to assist you. Dayton Right to Life and Miami Valley Women’s Center are just two of the many resources available to care for vulnerable women and children.

My efforts continue to ensure that every woman is empowered and every child is protected in the state of Ohio. We will do everything we can to end abortion in our state, and protect the most vulnerable.”

A spokesperson for the Women’s Health Center confirmed to News Center 7 that the facility will end all abortion procedures by September 15. On the same date, an abortion clinic in Indianapolis, where many patients from the Dayton-area were being referred to, will also end procedures, the spokesperson confirmed.




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