The law has no impact on Planned Parenthood’s abortion services.
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The suit asks for a court order that will keep the law from taking effect on its scheduled date of May 23.
Planned Parenthood sued the state Wednesday in federal court, hoping to stop OH from defunding the organization. “Let’s call this what it is, an attack on people who already have the least access to care, all in the name of politics”. She said the delays show there’s no public health emergency. The state’s law would bar such funds from going to entities that perform or promote abortions.
But Planned Parenthood claims these clinics aren’t immediately in a position to fill the health care gaps it would leave, which would include 70,000 free STD screenings it provides through a Centers for Disease Control program and 5,000 free HIV tests for populations at high risk for the virus. “Millions of times over, Planned Parenthood has proven that its mission is antithetical to this policy, and its work is destructive to human life”.
Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit the day after it received the state’s letter about pulling the funds.
Kasich’s press secretary, Joe Andrews, said in an email he would not discuss pending litigation, but added the governor, a former Republican presidential candidate, was pleased to sign legislation “that continued our progress in moving funding to other eligible providers”.
The new law requires the Ohio Department of Health to ensure public funds are being used for their intended goal – the legislation lists breast and cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS initiatives and other specific programs – and not for abortions.
The organization has said the cuts would not force the closure of any of its 28 health centers in OH, but it would deprive patients of services. The state health department said Planned Parenthood received roughly $56,000 in calendar year 2014 and about $38,000 in 2015. The organization’s clinic in Hattiesburg offers pap smears, birth control and other health services.
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