Ohio governor approves budget bill that allocates $1 million for pro-life pregnancy centers

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has approved a budget bill that would allocate $1 million for a program that would provide funding for pro-life pregnancy centers across the state.

The 2018–2019 State Budget, approved by Kasich last Friday, will allocate $1 million for Ohio Right to Life's Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program, which provides financial support to pro-life pregnancy centers as part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Ohio Right to Life had invited pregnancy center directors, workers, volunteers, and clients to the Ohio Statehouse to testify in favor of the program.

Pat Todak, executive director of Heartbeat of Toledo, and Rosemary Prier, director of operations for Elizabeth's New Life Center in Dayton, were among those who testified that the program had already helped over 4,000 women.

The renewal of the program marks Ohio Right to Life's 19th legislative success since 2011, according to Life News. The pro-life group commended Kasich, Senate President Larry Obhof and Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger for approving the Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program for the third consecutive budget.

Prior to the approval of the 2018–2019 State Budget, some pro-abortion groups raised concerns about allocating funds to Ohio Right to Life's Parenting and Pregnancy Support Program.

"By giving funding to so-called 'crisis pregnancy centers,' the Parenting and Pregnancy Program is directing money to centers that coerce and mislead the people turning to them for help," said Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio.

"When women need urgent, legitimate medical advice, these facilities present inflammatory rhetoric and misleading information. These centers should not be getting state funding," she added.

There were also concerns that pro-life provisions would be attached to the budget bill as several abortion restrictions have reportedly been included the state budget in the past.

"The budget has been a tool that the Kasich administration has used to put in place abortion restrictions often with little or no opportunity for committee hearings. The medical community is shut out of this process when they write restrictions behind closed doors," said Gabriel Mann, spokesperson for NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio.

In the 2016-2017 state budget, $1 million was provided to 13 pro-life pregnancy centers across the state.

Other states such as Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania, also provide funding for alternatives to abortion programs.

Life News noted that Indiana expanded its program in 2015 to provide $3.5 million to pro-life organizations across the state. Michigan and Pennsylvania allocate money to programs that provide pregnancy and parenting support to families. Pro-life groups in these states credit the programs for helping to reduce abortion rates.