© 2024 WYSO
Our Community. Our Nation. Our World.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bill to Reduce Funding to Planned Parenthood

An Ohio house committee has recommended a bill that would re-prioritize funding for family planning services so that Planned Parenthood would be last on the list.

Backers of the bill say there are many clinics, hospitals and private practices throughout Ohio that are providing family planning services that Planned Parenthood provides.  This bill would give those facilities an advantage when it comes to getting federal and state funding.  Republican lawmakers say that’s ok because it would give women more choices of facilities.  And Denise Leipold, Executive Director of Right to Life of Northeast Ohio says it would go after a major abortion provider.

"91 percent of all pregnant clients that go into Planned Parenthood come out with an abortion," says Leipold.

Planned Parenthood disputes that claim, saying federal money is not used for abortion and add abortion makes up only a very small part of the organization’s services.

After the hearing, backers of Planned Parenthood told reporters why this bill should not pass.  Dr. Rob Crane, from Columbus, says Planned Parenthood saves the government money in the long run.

"This is not just a war on women.  This is a war on reason," says Crane.

Even if the plan ends up getting full approval in the Ohio House, it would still have to pass the Ohio Senate before becoming law and the clock is ticking.  The two year legislative session ends when the year ends.