A New Era in the Ohio Pro-Life Movement
Ohio Senate Poised to Address Landmark Legislation to Defund Planned Parenthood and Opt Ohio Out of Abortion Coverage in Obamacare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike Gonidakis
DATE: Monday, December 5, 2011
PHONE: (614) 547-0099 ext. 301
(COLUMBUS, OH) -This week, the Ohio Senate is set to address two fundamental aspects of the Ohio pro-life agenda as Senate committees will advance legislation protecting pro-life taxpayers from paying for abortion via Obamacare (HB 79) as well as begin hearings to defund Planned Parenthood.
With the ultimate passage of HB 79, the 2011 pro-life legislative agenda will have realized historic success, with seven Ohio Right to Life legislative initiatives being signed into law by our pro-life Governor John Kasich.
“At no time in Ohio’s history have so many life-saving initiatives been enacted. Pro-life Ohioans owe a debt of gratitude to the entire 23 member Ohio Senate Republican Caucus,” said Mike Gonidakis, Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life. “Additionally, our pro-life Speaker of the House of Representatives provided robust leadership to advance our initiatives through his chamber in a bi-partisan fashion,” said Gonidakis.
On Tuesday, Senator Kris Jordan, sponsor of SB 201, will offer testimony to defund Planned Parenthood. This legislation will direct funding away from abortion providers and finally provide much needed resources to local groups who provide services and healthcare to women.
Ohio’s Planned Parenthood operations received millions of taxpayer dollars via federal grants in 2010 and 2011. SB 201 will give preference of such funds to local health departments, federally qualified health centers, and nonpublic entities that provide comprehensive primary care services before abortion providers would be eligible.
Revenue Planned Parenthood receives nationally has gone from $165 million in 1998 to $363.3 million in the organization’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. During the same time, and at roughly the same rate, abortions have more than doubled at Planned Parenthood, from 165,509 in 1998 to 332,278 in 2009.
Defunding Planned Parenthood is a fundamental part of Ohio Right to Life’s legislative strategy and a desire of all pro-life Ohioans. In cooperation with National Right to Life and our statewide affiliated chapters, we will work tirelessly to ensure success of these efforts.
“Tuesday’s hearing in the Ohio Senate to defund Planned Parenthood is the first step in making 2012 another groundbreaking year for Ohio’s pro-life movement, especially in an election year when the state and country need it most,” said Gonidakis.
Ohio Right to Life is grateful to Senate President Tom Niehaus and the Ohio Senate Republican’s pro-life leadership who have repeatedly declared their support for life saving measures.