Merrin Turns His Back on Ohioans for His Political Allies
For Immediate Release: Dec. 10, 2019 (Updated: Feb. 4, 2020, 12:07 a.m.)
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Contact: [email protected]
Merrin Turns His Back on Ohioans for His Political Allies
COLUMBUS, OH — Earlier today, under the leadership of State Representative Derrek Merrin (R-Monclova Township), the House Ways and Means committee voted to pass House Bill 297 (HB 297). The bill would create a significant tax credit for financial contributions made to non-licensed crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). CPC staff pretend to be credentialed medical professionals, promote misinformation about pregnancy, birth control, and abortion, and pressure vulnerable Ohioans into delaying the actual health care services that they need.
Statement from Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, vice president for government affairs and public advocacy on HB 297:
“Ways and Means Committee Chair Derrek Merrin has once again turned his back on the tax payers of Ohio and instead has decided to support the pursuance of greed for his political allies in the anti-abortion movement.
“Members of the House need to conduct their own due diligence on the fake clinics that intentionally take advantage of pregnant people, and instead support organizations that provide the full breadth of medically-accurate, reproductive health care services that all Ohioans need and deserve.”
The full Ohio House of Representatives will vote on HB 297 as early as tomorrow.
The Ohio House of Representatives recently introduced House Bill 413, yet another bill that intends to further regulate individuals’ options to control their own bodies as well as interfere in the physician-patient relationship.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying. www.ppao.org