The Catholic Church comes to this issue from a perspective rooted in experience. Catholic charitable agencies and pregnancy help centers have helped countless pregnant women find life-affirming alternatives to abortion. Our hospitals and other health facilities are second to none in providing quality health care for women.

The Ohio Catholic Bishops have consistently opposed taxpayer funding of abortions. In 2013 Ohio enacted legislation that re-prioritized state dollars away from Planned Parenthood. While federal and state law prohibits direct funding of any abortion services, public funding for other services provided by Planned Parenthood remains. In 2014, it was reported that $1.3 M in state funds were awarded to Planned Parenthood for such services. HB 294 will redirect such funds to other health care providers who do not perform abortions. The bill also adds new provisions directing funding to infant mortality reduction and creating presumptive eligibility for pregnant women.