Panel weighs Ohio bill aimed at Planned Parenthood’s funds

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio bill that seeks to divert government funding away from Planned Parenthood appeared headed for its final legislative hurdles today.

The measure targets the roughly $1.3 million that Planned Parenthood receives through the Ohio Department of Health. The funding, which is mostly federal, supports initiatives for HIV testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings and prevention of violence against women.

The bill would restrict such funds from going to entities that perform or promote abortions, their affiliates and those that contract with an entity that performs abortions. It would not affect the overall amount of money available for such initiatives, just who could get it.

Both the Ohio House and state Senate passed separate versions of the measure last year. Legislative leaders recently agreed to advance the House’s bill.

The Senate was expected to vote on the legislation this afternoon after a committee heard testimony and approved the measure.

The Senate committee amended the bill to send $250,000 to the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. As part of an effort to reduce the state’s infant-mortality rate, the group would use the money to share best practices in safe sleep, birth spacing and smoking cessation.