Governor John Kasich Signs Pro-Life Legislation

Ohio Taxpayers Are Protected from Funding Abortions in New Health Care Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, December 21, 2011

(COLUMBUS, OH) -Today, Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 79, legislation designed to protect pro-life taxpayers from paying for abortion via Obamacare. This legislation marks the seventh measure enacted by the Ohio governor in 2011 alone. 

 Senate President Tom NiehausHouse Speaker Bill Batchelder"The pro-life movement is very proud of what Governor John Kasich, Senate President Tom Niehaus and Speaker Bill Batchelder have accomplished in 2011. Ohio is witnessing historic gains in legislation that protects mothers and saves unborn babies," said Mike Gonidakis, Executive Director for Ohio Right to Life.    

 House Bill 79 would exclude abortion coverage from the State Exchange which Ohio must create as required by the new federal health care law. The federal law includes a provision allowing states to opt out, making it possible for this legislation to protect the conscience rights of pro-life taxpayers.

"While we can all agree that people should have access to healthcare, we reject the notion that abortion is healthcare because the only measure of 'success' of an abortion procedure is the death of an innocent child," said Gonidakis.  

Ohio Right to Life, its affiliated chapters and statewide membership are sincerely thankful for Governor Kasich's leadership, the entire Ohio Senate Republican caucus and the majority of pro-life members of the Ohio House for prioritizing life-saving measures in 2011. Ohio Right to Life also offers special thanks to Rep. Joe Uecker and Rep. Danny Bubp for sponsoring H.B. 79.