On Sunday, Republican presidential candidate and Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a bill that blocks his state from securing health services from organizations that perform or promote abortions, according to CNN.
Though Planned Parenthood isn't specifically named in the bill, the outlet reports that the effects of this law will defund the organization by more than $1 million, because Planned Parenthood does perform abortions along with its more common health and contraceptive services for women.
"This legislation will have devastating consequences for women across Ohio," Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said in a statement. "John Kasich is proudly eliminating care for expectant mothers and newborns; he is leaving thousands without vital STD and HIV testing, slashing a program to fight domestic violence, and cutting access to essential, basic health care."
Kasich, who has positioned himself as the moderate candidate among the Republicans, just finished fifth in the South Carolina primary, but has racked up important endorsements, including one from the New York Times.
A spokesperson for Kasich's office said this bill will move funds to other providers for pregnant women and newborns.
"The Ohio Department of Health has at least 150 other sub-grantees and contractors for the affected grants and projects addressing such issues as new born babies, infant mortality, expectant mothers, violence against women, and minority HIV/AIDS," a statement from his office said. "ODH will reallocate funding from ineligible providers under the new law to other currently eligible providers, ranging from local health departments and community organizations to hospitals and universities. These organizations will be required to submit proposals in order to receive funding."
Despite the continuing action against Planned Parenthood, most Americans oppose defunding the organization, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released in December.
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-FlopsNext stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh FlatsThe controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions""We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Cecile Richards, Former Planned Parenthood President and Women's Rights Activist, Has Died at Age 67"Our hearts are broken today but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives."
-
What's the Holdup in Biden's Push for Paid Leave?The president is proposing $325 billion to fund paid family leave—the strongest budget proposal in history—and pushing for free universal pre-K nationwide. But he faces opposition.
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to MenFeatures It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
Breaking Down President Biden’s New Executive Order on Abortion Rights\201cWe feel really strongly, particularly given the tremendous amount of legal chaos that has ensued since this decision, that it’s incumbent on us to be careful.\201d
-
14 Abortion Rights Organizations Accepting Donations to Support Their FightFeatures 'Roe' is no longer the law of the land, but these organizations won't stop fighting.
-
The Supreme Court Is Hearing Arguments in a Case That Could Overturn 'Roe v. Wade''Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization' is the most consequential abortion rights case in decades.
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the OrganizationUnder Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State LegislatorsEmily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
