Columbus – Today state representatives on the House Health and Aging Committee held the third public hearing on a bill (HB 298) that would eliminate federal funding for pap tests, breast exams, and prenatal care at Planned Parenthood health centers throughout Ohio.

“In these difficult economic times, women should have access to essential health care services such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, prenatal care, and testing and treatment of STDs,” said Beth Lonn, Interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio. “Planned Parenthood will not let politics interfere with the health care relied on by nearly 100,000 Ohioans each year. We call on lawmakers to put politics aside and put Ohio women and families first.”

The anticipated substitute bill, which was not presented to the committee, would block federal funding under the Maternal Child Health Block Grant, the Infertility Prevention Program, the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act, and the Violence Against Women Act from Planned Parenthood health centers in Ohio.

The bill could block women’s access to a wide range of preventive health services at Planned Parenthood health centers. For example, the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant helps to fund Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio’s Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program to prevent infant mortality in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The program is a neighborhood prenatal outreach program for African American women, providing in-home visits for prenatal care coordination during and after pregnancy. The infant mortality rate for African American babies is almost two and a half times more than the rate for white women.

“Planned Parenthood’s doors are open to every woman in need. At any given time, we are helping up to 90 women deliver healthy babies, but over the course of the program, we have served many more,” said Celeste Ribbins, Vice President of Community Initiatives for Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio. “Some politicians want to cut Planned Parenthood out of the health care network in Ohio, but they can’t. We serve women who trust us and who know that Planned Parenthood will be there for them, no matter what.”

Wednesday morning, the bill to defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio will have its third hearing. Politicians are trying to score points by denying women access to annual exams, birth control, prevention and treatment of STDs, and life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings. By "re-prioritizing" funds for family planning, they are removing access to the health care provider that so many women trust. In fact, one in five women has been to a Planned Parenthood health center at some time in her life.

Send these politicians a clear message: Not Here, Not Now. Sign this petition today and we will deliver the signatures directly to the Ohio House Health Committee.

After you've added your name to the petition, call Speaker of the House Bill Batchelder at (614) 466-8140. He will ultimately decide whether this bill is brought to the House floor for a vote. Tell him why you want to protect women's access to preventive health care from Planned Parenthood.

Finally, if you can come to Statehouse Room 116 on Wednesday, May 16th, please show your support for Planned Parenthood. The hearing room is small, so you will need to arrive by 8:30 a.m. and may have to listen from an adjoining overflow room. Don't forget to wear pink!

Sincerely,

Gary Dougherty
State Legislative Director
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio

COLUMBUS – Peppered throughout his letter to his “Fellow Pro-Life Ohioans,” Senate President Tom Niehaus reminds his readers of all the anti-woman bills that the current state legislature has passed, “more than any previous General Assembly in state history.”

It is because of this anti-woman bravado that Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio is suspicious about reports that the “heartbeat bill” is dead.

“Notwithstanding news reports and headlines, Sen. Niehaus’ letter never once declares the ‘heartbeat bill’ to be dead,” said Gary Dougherty, State Legislative Director for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio.  “His plea that anti-choice groups come to a consensus on the bill signals his clear desire to end legal access to all safe abortion care.”

Because Faith2Action and Ohio Right to Life are so heavily invested in their positions for and against the “heartbeat bill,” such a consensus may be unlikely.  However, Dougherty asserts that is the reason for continued vigilance.

“We cannot, and will not, be lulled to sleep by claims that the ‘heartbeat bill’ is dead.  This legislature has become a willing partner in the War on Women and cannot be trusted to preserve access to women’s health care options.  Whether the ‘heartbeat bill’ remains an abortion ban bill or becomes an informed consent bill or a mandatory ultrasound bill, Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for those women and their families who rely on us to advocate for their access to reproductive health care.”