Ohio governor John Kasich signed a bill Sunday that will make it much more difficult for women and men alike to obtain free contraception, get STD screenings and HIV tests, and obtain resources to report domestic violence. Here's a break-down of what that will mean for us.
CNN reports Planned Parenthood is not specifically mentioned in the bill, but it will be defunded because it promotes nontherapeutic (as in not related to rape, life-threatening cases, or incest) abortion services. The funding that would have went to centers that support Planned Parenthood and other clinics which provide abortion services will be put into health centers and organizations that are pro-life.
Forbes states $1.3 milion will be taken away from Planned Parenthood and similar health services. Much of this money goes to cancer screenings and does not go to abortion services. Forbes also stated that just last year, Planned Parenthood has provided 47,000 STD tests, as well as 3,600 HIV screenings.
NBC News says the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has roughly 150 other organizations elligible for funding. The Columbus Dispatch pointed out that because of the Hyde Amendment, abortions that do not occur becuase of rape, incest, or endangerment to the life of the mother receive no federal funding, anyway.
So what's the point of this bill?
Because of the supposed fetal tissue scandal that happened last year, the state government has been pushing for legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. Ironically, Ohio Planned Parenthood centers do not allow fetal tissue donation because it is illegal in our state, according to the Columbus Dispatch.