Southwest Ohio Pro-Life Organizations Applaud State’s Move to End Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cincinnati, OH & Dayton, OH — October 28, 2026 — Cincinnati Right to Life and Dayton Right to Life applaud the Ohio Department of Medicaid for taking action to protect taxpayer dollars by proposing the termination of state Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood Greater Ohio and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio.
According to letters recently sent to both affiliates, the state Medicaid office has moved to end participation in the Medicaid program by Planned Parenthood entities that continue to perform or refer for abortions. This step marks a significant effort to ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to support or subsidize abortion businesses in any form.
Planned Parenthood’s attorney has publicly stated that the letters cite federal law and reference the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Donald Trump earlier this summer, which suspended federal Medicaid reimbursements to abortion businesses for one year. However, the true legal authority for Ohio’s action lies in the recent Medina decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which affirmed that states have the right to terminate Medicaid funding for organizations that perform abortions. This Medina ruling grants states the power to cut off such reimbursements and redirect funds toward providers offering genuine healthcare.
“Ohio taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize abortion businesses under the guise of healthcare,” said Laura Strietmann, Executive Director of Cincinnati Right to Life. “The Medina decision reaffirmed what pro-life Ohioans have long supported — that our state can and should prioritize authentic healthcare providers that protect both mother and child.”
Margie Christie, Executive Director of Dayton Right to Life, added, “Ohio’s women and families have robust alternatives to Planned Parenthood. With more than 641 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and free pregnancy care centers spanning every region of the state, women have access to comprehensive, life-affirming care without turning to abortion businesses.”
Southwest Ohio: Epicenter of Abortion Industry Growth
Southwest Ohio is home to two Planned Parenthood abortion businesses that end the lives of children in the womb through violent abortion procedures. Since the fall of Roe, Ohio has tragically become an “abortion tourist destination state,” drawing women from across state lines for abortions. According to recent data, the state has seen a 245% increase in out-of-state abortions, a devastating trend that underscores the urgent need for Ohio to cut off taxpayer support to any business involved in abortion. Ohio tax dollars should never fund the killing of innocent children or keep these abortion businesses open.
Together, Cincinnati Right to Life and Dayton Right to Life joined forces to launch a statewide digital petition campaign urging Governor Mike DeWine to issue an executive order immediately defunding Planned Parenthood and ending all state Medicaid reimbursements to abortion businesses. Other pro-life groups across Ohio have united in this effort.
Additionally, in August, a letter was sent to Governor DeWine urging him to protect millions of hard-working Ohioans’ tax dollars from being directed to Planned Parenthood.
Thousands of Ohioans have already signed the petitions, calling on the Governor to act swiftly considering the Supreme Court’s Medina decision and the state’s clear legal authority. The organizations continue to rally citizens, churches, and community leaders to make their voices heard and demand that Ohio stand firmly for life in both law and practice.