Appeals Court upholds Ohio law protecting unborn children with Down syndrome

COLUMBUS – The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld an Ohio law Monday that forbids doctors from performing abortions that they know are motivated by an unborn child’s Down syndrome. 

The 9-7 ruling in favor of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s appeal reinstates an Ohio law passed in 2017.

The law was first challenged in 2018 by the ACLU, where they won. Later, a three-judge panel upheld an order stopping the law from taking effect. Then, Yost sought review before the entire Sixth Circuit. 

“Protecting the lives of every Ohioan is something I have fought vigorously for and will continue to do so,” Yost said. “I applaud the court’s decision to uphold a law that is meant to do just that.”