John Kasich Signs Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

Though Planned Parenthood isn’t specifically named in the bill, the outlet reports that the effects of this law will defund the organization by more than $1 million, because Planned Parenthood does perform abortions along with its more common health and contraceptive services for women. The measure that the pro-life governor had promised to sign strips $1.3 million in funding away from Planned Parenthood of Ohio.

The House gave its final approval earlier this month on a mostly party-line vote, with the bill’s Democratic co-sponsor voting in favor and two Republicans voting against it. The money would instead go to health clinics selected by the Ohio Department of Health in the coming months.

The bill doesn’t name Planned Parenthood, but backers of the legislation have acknowledged the organization will be the most affected.

Kasich’s actions betray thousands of Ohioans who rely on the agency’s work, said Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Amelia Hayes.

“This legislation will have devastating consequences for women across Ohio”, Richards said in a statement.

Lawmakers approved the legislation February 10, but Kasich’s office did not receive it until Thursday.

Planned Parenthood is facing allegations that they are trafficking aborted fetal body parts following the release of a series of undercover videos of its executives.

President Barack Obama, a Miss America pageant contestant, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards herself have all asserted the abortion business performs mammograms. Spokespersons for the organization have denied illegal conduct. The money, which will now be allocated to other health providers in the state, was used for the nonprofit’s educational programs (like HIV counseling and promoting healthy babies), Planned Parenthood officials told the Columbus Dispatch.