The mid-year budget adjustment bill had contained a provision that would take money away from Planned Parenthood and give it to community health centers instead.  Anti-abortion groups were ready to celebrate but that was before lawmakers in the Ohio House decided to pull that measure.

Ohio Right to Life’s Mike Gonadakis says he was disappointed by the action but not discouraged. He says there’s no question the provision could have withstood legal challenge.

"We drafted this provision to avoid lawsuits like what happened in Texas or any other states. This would simply divert money from Planned Parenthood and give it to our community health centers."

Right-to-Life not done yet
Gonadakis says he plans to continue to talk to lawmakers to try to convince the Ohio Senate to put the measure back in the budget bill. 

"We are going to continue to work with the legislature. We have pro-life majorities in the House and Senate. We are a little unclear as to why this is happening but we will continue to work with it."

But the committee’s action was a nice surprise for Gary Doughtery with Planned Parenthood of Ohio.

"We are obviously very pleased and we will continue the discussion in the Senate to make sure it stays out."

Daughtery says the budget adjustment bill is not the place for this type of legislation.

"I think that it’s a common-sense issue. I think when people take a look at it and realize that this is, up to now, a 2,399 page budget bill and we are dealing with non-budget items (such as) health care issues that affect women throughout the state, this is not the place to have that discussion.  e are willing to have that discussion but this is not the appropriate venue."