Ohio federal court strikes down law blocking funds to Planned Parenthood

This Wednesday, a federal appeals court threw out an Ohio law that blocked funds from going to Planned Parenthood.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati blocked the law which stopped funds from going to organizations that offer or promote abortions.

According to Planned Parenthood, the law violated its constitutional rights and denied funds “in retaliation” for offering abortions.

The state of Ohio argued that it should be able to spend funds according to how it sees fit, but the court wasn’t buying it.

From the AP:

Planned Parenthood said Ohio’s law would not force any of its 28 health centers in the state to close but the legislation would deprive thousands of patients of access to services such as HIV tests and breast and cervical cancer screenings.

The group’s attorneys argued the law was unconstitutional because it required, as a condition of receiving government funds, that recipients abandon their constitutionally protected rights to free speech and to provide abortion services.

Wednesday’s decision said the money at issue had nothing to do with abortion, while noting that state and federal law have prohibited the use of government funds to pay for abortions for decades.

The Ohio attorney general’s office is reportedly considering repealing the ruling.

Featured image via Flickr