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Ohio Senate Advances Bill To Divert Planned Parenthood Funding

Pro-Life groups rolled out bus in 2015, calling for lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood (Karen Kasler / Statehouse Bureau)

An Ohio bill that would divert government funding away from Planned Parenthood has passed the Senate. From our Statehouse Bureau Jo Ingles has more.

Republican State Senator Peggy Lehner says passage of the bill to strip $1.2 million federal from Planned Parenthood comes down to one thing.

“They have chosen to be the leading abortion provider in this nation.”

Planned Parenthood says the money is not used for abortion but for cancer screenings, HIV tests and educational programs.

Stephanie Kight, leader of Ohio’s organization, says the group will try to continue to provide services to low income women but doesn’t rule out a lawsuit.

“We’ll certainly look at every option.”

The bill needs to go back to the House next week. But it’s still possible Gov. John Kasich could sign it into law before the New Hampshire primary on February 9th.