Ohio Terminates Planned Parenthood Funding With Pro-Life Budget

Religion Today | Updated: Jul 05, 2013

Ohio Terminates Planned Parenthood Funding With Pro-Life Budget

At first glance, it's a budget bill: Ohio's Republican Gov. John Kasich signed a two-year, $62 billion state budget on June 30 that reduces state income tax by $2.6 billion. But the new budget also eliminates funding from Planned Parenthood, blocks public hospitals from arranging transfer agreements with abortion clinics and requires abortion providers to provide ultrasounds on women seeking abortions, WORLD reports. Ohio has 12 abortion facilities, and NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio said the new budget could force many clinics to close. "Today Governor Kasich enacted measures that prescribe medically unnecessary procedures, force doctors to mislead their patients and will force quality medical centers to close," said Kellie Copeland, executive director of the group. Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, praised Kasich, saying it will protect women and save babies' lives. The budget went into effect July 3.



Ohio Terminates Planned Parenthood Funding With Pro-Life Budget