Ohio GOP Move To Strip Planned Parenthood Of Funds

If Ohio Republicans get their way, they’ll have Planned Parenthood defunded by Memorial Day.

Abortion-rights opponents inserted language into Gov. John Kasich’s (R) mid-budget review bill that effectively strips the women’s health care provider of up to $1.7 million in federal funding administered by the state Department of Health. The language added mirrors a separate bills currently in committee that reprioritizes federal family planning dollars so that Planned Parenthood and other stand-alone family planning providers get the lowest priority for federal funding.

The anti-choice community applauded the move. “Ohio’s abortion industry will no longer feed at the taxpayer trough. Instead, these dedicated health care funds will be offered to those entities where a vast majority of low-income women and their children seek responsible and life-saving services,” said Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life.

Not surprisingly, women’s health advocates see it a little differently. “Clearly, the intent of this legislation is to make sure the federal funds are exhausted before Planned Parenthood has the opportunity to apply for it,” said Gary Dougherty, state legislative director for Planned Parenthood.

Dougherty said only three of the 37 family planning centers run by Planned Parenthood provide abortions, and noted that it’s illegal under federal law to use federal funding for abortions.

“Clearly, a political statement is being made here at Planned Parenthood’s expense,” he said. “The shame is the women who come to Planned Parenthood don’t come to make a political statement, they come for health care.”

Making a political statement at the expense of poor women’s lives? That’s what the right does best.

Arizona Moves To De-Fund Planned Parenthood

Photo from fibonacciblue via flickr.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dawid B.

4:36AM PST on Feb 17, 2013

@Carole L. - You are quite abusive! You have failed to make any valid point. Are you a PP shareholder? You also neglected to consider the abuses by PP.
Look at http://www.lifenews.com/2013/01/10/planned-parenthood-hides-botched-abortion-lawmakers-want-probe/
This is only one example for you

February 17
send a green star

rene d.

2:24PM PST on Feb 16, 2013

thank you.

February 16
send a green star

LMj S.

7:18PM PDT on Aug 18, 2012

Thank you for info.

August 18
send a green star

Frances C.

7:26PM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

Nancy Low information, This might not sink in, but I will give it a try. Contraception is preventive care, it is used for medical reasons other than preventing pregnancy. It does belong in our health insurance. Preventing unwanted pregnancies has set women free, helped them have careers, and keep jobs. As well cutting down on abortions, or having unwanted children, who often don't fare well in those circumstances. Recreational Sex? Really? I thought most adults have sex in their lives. It's not a bad or strange thing. Is it Nancy?

April 19
send a green star

Gina W.

5:58PM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

What about Viagra? Should tax money cover that?

Nancy L.

3:54PM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

I don't understand why people think the govt/people should pay taxes to cover free birth control so people can have recreational sex. As an atheist, it's purely logic, no silly religious beliefs. If you want to mess around, buy your own birth control!!

Lynda D.

11:33AM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

I'm not surprised that would happen, but those who believe in Planned Parenthood - stand up and be counted!

Tony C.

2:35AM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

If more women don't realize that their rights are speedily being taken away by the narrow minded politicians and don't act by voting them out of office, there will come a day when they will ask themselves, what happened to my rights?? By that time it will be too late. The future of women who have to put up with all this injustice of being attacked on contraception, abortion, and closing the Planned Parenthood offices which have helped with cancer screenings, pregnancies and many others is leading them down the path to second class citizenship. Women have so much power but they don't realize it, and if they do they don't use it. If women went on strike in the kitchen and the bedroom I believe things would change quickly and for the better. Look at the voting records of all the politicians and use the Power of your VOTE and remove any politician of any party that tries to take away any of your rights.

Trudi G.

2:05AM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

Merely another example of what happens when people in authority (or would-be authority) have their heads so far up their own arses that whatever they think of or say is pure, unadulterated crap. If any woman votes Republican next time and they God forbid, get in, she surely will reap what she has sown- and will deserve ALL of it. The trouble is that everyone else will get screwed too- and not in a good way.