WTF - Ohio Governor John Kasich Signs Ohio Bill to Cut Planned Parenthood Funding [View all]

[malaise]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/governor-john-kasich-signs-ohio-bill-cut-planned-parenthood-funding-n523091

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Republican presidential hopeful and Ohio Governor John Kasich on Sunday signed a bill that aims to strip funding from Planned Parenthood in the state.

It's a long-expected but controversial move that ignites a debate that seeped into his presidential campaign. Kasich faced a number of protesters this week while campaigning in South Carolina who challenged him on the issue during his events.

After Kasich came in a strong second place in the New Hampshire primary, the Republican assembly in Ohio passed legislation that targets about $1.3 million in funding for Planned Parenthood in the state.

That money helps support screenings for breast cancer, STD testing, programs working to prevent violence against women, and more. State and federal laws already prohibit taxpayer dollars from going to fund abortions, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.

Although the legislation does not specifically name the organization — it cites "any entity that performs or promotes nontherapeutic abortions" — and it's believed that Planned Parenthood will be most affected.

Planned Parenthood immediately fired back to the news, as the organization's president Cecile Richards claimed the bill will "have devastating consequences for women across Ohio."

"It's clear Kasich has no regard for women's health or lives, and will stop at nothing to block health care for the tens of thousands of Ohioans who rely on Planned Parenthood," she said in a statement.