Republican presidential hopeful and Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) signed a bill Sunday that strips government funding from Planned Parenthood in Ohio, despite protests from legislative Democrats and several newspaper editorials.
The bill will prevent $1.3 billion in funding from the state health department, most of which goes toward the funding of programs such as HIV testing, health screenings and prevention of violence against women, according to The Hill.
Although the legislation doesn't explicitly mention Planned Parenthood by name, the bill states that it's aimed to prohibit the state from contracting for health services with any organization that performs or promotes abortions - which is believed to impact Planned Parenthood the most.
The bill, which was signed behind closed doors and later announced, was quickly denounced by Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards who said it would have "devastating consequences for women across Ohio."
"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," she said, according to CNN.
Kasich, who's tried to project a more moderate image as a Republican presidential candidate, was frequently asked about the issue of Planned Parenthood while on the campaign trail, and while saying that he doesn't believe government funding should go to the organization because they "discredited" themselves, he still talked about the importance of funding for expecting mothers and newborn babies.
Joe Andrews, a spokesperson for Kasich's gubernatorial office, released a statement where he argued that the law is consistent with the Ohio governor's views.
"The fact is that Governor Kasich has been a strong advocate for women's health issues by helping 260,000 women gain access to health care coverage, pledging a 3-1 state match for a fund for breast and cervical cancer screenings, strengthening programs for sexual assault prevention, funding rape crisis centers for the first time in Ohio's history, helping more women get access to childcare and protecting women from human trafficking," he said, according to NBC News.
The state, through the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has at least 150 other sub-grantees and contractors for the affected grants and projects addressing such issues as infant mortality, violence against women, and minority HIV/AIDS. 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."
Kasich's signing of the bill came after the South Carolina primary. It was believed he would sign it prior to the ballots in a bid to shore up support, but instead he signed it one day after finishing in a distant fifth place with about 8 percent.
