This document has been provided to inform you that of the 21 abortion clinics in the state of Ohio only 4 are licensed.

Even if you are pro-choice, this should enrage you and cause you to contact people because of violation of the law that is supposed to protect the women who use these services. So far, though local media is well aware of this issue, there's been little news. And the Ohio Director of Health, J. Nick Baird continues to allow the clinics to operate without a license. Please read through so that you can get complete information including who you can contact.

I received the following information from Cleveland Right to Life. I've added other information that may be helpful.

Following up on an earlier news release that 80% of the abortion facilities in Ohio are doing abortions in violation of state law, volunteers are asked to help out this Saturday at 10:30 am at the Women's Center for Health, 11750 Shaker Blvd. Cleveland. This is the one of the unlicensed facilities in the state. Help is needed to warn women of the dangers of using an unlicensed medical facility.

In order to obtain a license as an ambulatory surgical facility, as required by section 3702.30(D) of the Ohio Revised Code, abortion clinics must submit to a state health department inspection and comply with requirements regarding medical personnel, post-operative procedures, physical requirements as well as meet other standards. The law was initially passed in 1995 and the regulations approved in 1997. Cleveland Right to Life wrote to director J. Nick Baird the Director of the Ohio Department of Health last month asking him to enforce the law and obtain injunctions to close the doors of all clinics in Ohio which are not in compliance with the law.

The revised code clearly states that the facilties must be licensed in order to operate.

According to the letter: "These clinics have had over two years to obtain a license. They must not be permitted to flaunt the law with impunity. They must understand that the state is serious about protecting women's health. The only way to do this effectively is to close the doors of these irresponsible facilities unto they comply with the law. Otherwise, what meaning does the law in Ohio have?"

It's simply amazing that with 27 years of experience as a private practice Obstetrician and Gynecologist, that state Health Director Baird hasn't followed through and enforced the licensing requirement.

Below is a list of clinics and current status. Contact information follows that.

Cleveland Right to Life is a nonprofit organization with 12,000 members who provide advocacy and services to those whose right to life is threatened.

STATUS OF LICENSES OF OHIO ABORTION FACILITIES as of 10/20/99 (Does not include doctors offices or hospitals where abortions are performed)

SOURCE: Ohio Dept. of Health list of abortion providers compared to their list of licensed ambulatory surgical facilities in Ohio dated 8/30/99 OHIO LAW: "No health care facility shall operate without a license under this section." (Ohio Revised Code Section 3702.30 (D)

Contact Information Nothing is going to change unless you get involved. Please contact below as well as the editor of the newspaper you read, clergy, and other contacts that can help. I ask that you be polite but firm with all contacts.

Director of Health - J. Nick Baird, M.D. (614)466-9952 his assistant Michelle Thompson (614)466-2253

Gov. Robert Taft (614)466-3555 77 South High St. Columbus, OH 43215

Your State Senator information can be located at this web site: http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/

Local Health Department information can be found in the phone book or via this web site: http://www.odh.state.oh.us/directory/lhd_directory.pdf

The Cuyahoga County Health Dept contact info is: (216)443-7500 ccbh@netincom.com

Here's something else we can all do - PRAY.

David Rogers for Greater Cleveland Life Link gcll@mailcity.com (216)999-9500

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