Planned Parenthood Violates COVID-19 Health Order

March 21, 2020

Dear Pro-Life Ohio,

Yesterday, Ohio Right to Life delivered a letter to the President of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio informing her that her organization is violating Ohio’s State of Emergency Health Order which has been implemented to reduce the rapid spread of the CoronaVirus.

The Health Order, which Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton recently signed, requires that non-essential surgical procedures be postponed in Ohio. This allows vital medical supplies to be saved for our hospital systems’ fight against COVID-19 as the need for these supplies will most certainly increase in the coming days.

As countless other clinics across the state comply with this health order and prioritize the lives of their fellow Ohioans, Planned Parenthood continues to put profit and abortion above the safety of our society’s most vulnerable members- children and the elderly.

It is time to hold Planned Parenthood accountable for violating this emergency Health Order.

To read a copy of our letter click here or see below.

For Life,

Michael Gonidakis

President

 

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Iris Harvey, President

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio

206 E. State Street

Columbus, OH 43215

March 23, 2020

 

Dear Ms. Harvey,

 

As you know, the Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) issued an order on March 18, 2020 preventing all non-essential or elective surgeries that utilized personal protective equipment (PPE). Further, the Director defined non-essential surgeries as a procedure that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of the patient. Finally, this order will remain in effect until the State of Emergency declared by our Governor no longer exists.

It has come to our attention that your clinics currently are performing such procedures as defined above and in conflict with the Director of Health’s order via this State of Emergency. Nowhere in this order will you find an exemption for surgical abortions. By performing surgical abortions, your company is putting the health and safety of all Ohioans in danger. As you should know COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in death and can be easily spread from person to person. Your reckless actions are hurting our collective efforts to flatten the curve and defeat COVID-19.

The Director’s Order also contemplates preserving the limited amounts of PPEs we have left for our hospital systems that certainly will be strained and in great need moving forward. Each day that you violate this Order and waste PPEs, more lives are put in danger. These careless actions must stop immediately.

Countless other surgical facilities across the state have shuttered these procedures in compliance with this order and are preserving PPEs. Procedures that no longer are performed in Ohio include but are not limited to:

➢ Orthopedic procedures, such as a hip replacement or knee replacement

➢ Colonoscopies, bronchoscopies, kidney tube placements and other endoscopic procedures

➢ Invasive radiology procedures

➢ Most dermatology procedures

➢ Tooth extractions and other dental procedures

➢ Podiatric procedures

➢ Sound wave treatment to break down kidney stones

➢ Gynecological exams and/or endometrial biopsy

At this time Ohio Right to Life and Ohioans across this great state call on you and your organization to put the health and safety of our children, elderly and other vulnerable populations above profit and above abortion. Lives are literally depending on it. Your current noncompliance will undoubtedly contribute to the spread of COVID-19 and put the lives of first responders, nurses and doctors in danger.

If you have any questions regarding my letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you need additional information pertaining to the Director’s Order, contact the Ohio Department of Health for further guidance.

 

Sincerely,

Michael Gonidakis

President

 

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