The Ohio Department of Health notified Planned Parenthood providers across that state that they will no longer receive government funds as of April 20th. The move comes a few weeks after a divided federal appeals court upheld a controversial anti-abortion bill which barred Planned Parenthood from receiving public money. The bill was signed into law by former Governor John Kasich in 2016.
The Department of Health handed out around $600,000 worth of grants to Planned Parenthood clinics in 2018. The grant money helped the clinics run a variety of initiatives, including programs designed to reduce infant mortality and prevent breast and cervical cancer. None of that money was used to perform abortions, which is only done at three Planned Parenthood clinics in the state.
Planned Parenthood filed a motion asking for a stay of the 11-6 decision by the appeals court.
"Ohio continues to put politics over people, putting them at greater risk," Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio CEO Iris Harvey said in a statement. "This isn’t about politics, this is about lifesaving health care."
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