In the never ending war on women’s reproductive health, a new low has been reached in Ohio. Not content with a 2013 law preventing Title X funds from going to Planned Parenthood for contraception and other family planning services, Ohio lawmakers are hell bent on cutting off the $1.3 million Planned Parenthood uses to conduct STI and HIV tests, and infant mortality reduction programs to supplement the state’s troubled healthcare system.
But don’t worry, Ohio lawmakers say, there are plenty of alternatives you can go to. They released a list of “alternatives” that included dentist offices, school nurses, and a food bank as options for Ohio women.
Several of those providers confirmed that they do not provide STI testing or any other reproductive health services. A spokeswoman for the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati, which appears on the list, said the group doesn’t provide any medical services at all, although it helps people enroll in healthcare. “We’re just a drug and alcohol treatment center,” said a representative for the Center for Chemical Addictions, also on the list.
The website for the Mayores Senior Center, another entry, is silent on reproductive health services but notes that the center offers a nutritional health program, arts and crafts, casino trips and bingo. “Crest Smile Shoppe,” reads the website for another location on the list, “provides the following health services: dental services”.
But of course, Kasich’s office and other “pro-life” groups who have their own “lists” but won’t release them say there are plenty of options available.
Sure there are.
They’re so transparent, they’re not even trying. Because they know they’ve so rigged the process that they’ll never lose another election.