A major move was made behind closed doors Thursday when President Trump signed an executive order that allows states to withhold federal money from organizations that perform abortions.
It is seen as a first move to eliminate any federal money granted to organizations like Planned Parenthood.
There is aconcern at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio that this executive order will signal to states that they can pick and choose who receives Title-Ten money; that’s federal money used specifically for family planning.
The Obama Administration, knowing that congress was looking to defund Planned Parenthood ordered that states could not pick and choose organizations that would receive this money. That order has now been reversed by Trump.
Title-Ten funding serves four million people across the United States, with Planned Parenthood serving one-third of them.
The Trump administration argues tax payers’ money should not be going towards abortions. Planned Parenthood officials though said instead, this will just make it harder for low-income women to receive healthcare.
Planned Parenthood only represents 19% of the family planning clinics in the state, but they serve 52% of the patients. A lack of funding Planned Parenthood officials said could have major ramifications for the women who go to clinics for services other than abortions.
“Why would you punish women who are not getting abortions, are doing what we want them to do, which is to have a safe and healthy lifestyle and not an unintended pregnancy? So the logic doesn’t work for me,” said Iris Harvey, the President, and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.
Title-Ten funding does not pay for abortions, that would be illegal. Instead, it goes towards procedures like mammograms, cancer screenings, and STD testing.
No word from Ohio lawmakers yet, if they will move to restrict funding for Planned Parenthood.
