Abortion-rights groups protest Ohio measure

COLUMBUS (AP) — Abortion-rights supporters are criticizing the way Ohio lawmakers slipped a provision into the state budget at the last minute that would limit the ability of doctors to perform the procedure.

About 70 people, mostly women wearing red clothing, protested today outside the Ohio Statehouse.

The Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice scheduled the rally ahead of votes planned in the General Assembly on Ohio’s $62 billion operating budget.

Democratic Sen. Nina Turner, who opposes the anti-abortion provisions, says lawmakers amended the bill to restrict abortions like “thieves in the night.”

Advocates oppose an amendment that would require Ohio abortion providers to inform pregnant women seeking the procedure if a fetal heartbeat is present.

The crowd called on Gov. John Kasich to eliminate the restrictions from the budget.