Ohio Diverts Funds Formerly Allocated to Planned Parenthood to Crisis Pregnancy Centers
by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Ohio will devote $5 million to crisis pregnancy centers if a new bill passes in the Ohio House of Representatives, having almost completely withdrawn the $1.5 million in annual funds it formerly allocated to Planned Parenthood through a federal appeals courts decision earlier this year.
The crisis pregnancy centers, according to Republican Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, will offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, baby items, prenatal care, and financial aid, in hopes of disproving the longstanding notion that the pro-life position hurts society’s most vulnerable women.
“They’re providing pretty valuable services to women in need, and that’s true for rural communities, suburban and urban alike,” Obhof said of the 200 crisis pregnancy centers currently operating in Ohio, whose mission will be bolstered by the new bill.
Ohio, under the leadership of Republican governor Mike DeWine, became one of seven other states this Spring to pass a “heartbeat bill” banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, or around 6 weeks into a pregnancy.
The bill allocating $5 million dollars in state budget funds to crisis pregnancy centers was passed in the Ohio state senate, but awaits ratification by the House of Representatives—an outcome Obhof fully expects due to its pro-life majority.