Governor proposes millions more for pregnancy centers in state budget

Yahoo

13-02-2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Gov. Mike DeWine's proposed state budget for the next two fiscal years includes an over 40% increase in funding for pregnancy centers, which promote childbirth over abortion.
In Ohio, the governor makes budget recommendations early into each new General Assembly using insight from state agencies and knowledge of upcoming federal funding. DeWine submitted his draft to the legislature on Feb. 3, detailing a spending plan for 2026 and 2027.
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In DeWine's suggested budget, he proposed increasing support for the Parenting and Pregnancy Program by 42.9%, which would raise annual funding from $7 million to $10 million. The program was established in 2013 and allows the department to award taxpayer dollars, issued in grants, to select nonprofits that encourage childbirth rather than abortion. Under Ohio law, eligible organizations must be entirely separate from any entity that refers patients to abortion clinics or advertises abortion.
This money is commonly awarded to pregnancy centers, which are typically operated by faith-based groups that provide free services to women including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and infant supplies.
Emma Martinez, director of legislative and external affairs at Ohio Right to Life, called the proposed funding increase a 'fantastic move,' claiming the state has seen a growing need for pregnancy centers in recent years.
'We are seeing the need for them just increase,' Martinez said. 'There are so many women that are saying, 'We need help, we need assistance,' many of whom want to keep their children.'
However, reproductive rights groups such as Abortion Forward have spoken out against these centers, calling them 'fake clinics' that are 'anti-abortion' and not upfront about the services they provide.
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'They use deceptive tactics, people may think that they're at a healthcare facility when they're not,' said Kellie Copeland, executive director at Abortion Forward. 'They may or may not be staffed with people with healthcare backgrounds, they may offer ultrasounds, but they're not diagnostic and the client does not know that. … They think that they might be at a place that's offering them unbiased care, and they're not.'
If the legislature approves DeWine's proposed allocation for pregnancy centers, this will not be the first time the centers have seen a boost in funding in recent years. In 2023, lawmakers approved a state budget that directed $14 million to the state program, up from $6 million the previous two-year budget. Abortion Forward estimates the state has given over $40 million to pregnancy centers since 2015.
'When they get taxpayer funding and that funding is supposed to be helping people with unexpected pregnancies, we find that the funds are not really well used by these centers, certainly not up to the standard of other taxpayer dollars,' Copeland said. 'A lot of the funds that go to these anti-abortion centers actually go to social media, ads and billboards.'
However, Martinez said these funds can help give women in crisis the additional support they need. One example of services pregnancy centers may offer include parenting classes where expectant mothers can earn points to get free clothes, cribs or other necessities, Martinez said.
'These centers are providing care throughout not only pregnancy but support after,' Martinez said. '[Abortion clinics are] not offering parenting classes, they're not offering car seats. These are things only pregnancy centers are offering throughout our state. … That is so much more effort into helping a woman than just offering her an abortion, which says 'Oh you're scared about a pregnancy, we'll get rid of it for you and that's all we're going to offer you.''
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Copeland believes the state funds could be used to support pregnant women in better ways, such as through SNAP benefits and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides personalized guidance on healthy eating, lactation resources, and allows participants to receive vouchers to purchase baby formula.
'Representatives from these clinics, they come to the Statehouse, they advocate against abortion access, against family planning centers and things like that,' Copeland said. 'It's really troubling the way these centers operate and the amount of money that they've been given with no material oversight or regulation.'
To receive funding through the Parenting and Pregnancy Program, organizations must fill out a form through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to apply for funding and specify what it is needed for.
'You really have to explain what you're doing with these funds, be upfront about what, what the use is and what services you're providing,' Martinez said.
About one in seven women in the state have visited a crisis pregnancy center, according to a study conducted by Ohio State University in 2021. Copeland estimated the state is home to about 110 centers, while Martinez estimated the number is close to 150. In Columbus, there were 10 pregnancy centers in the city compared with two abortion providers in 2023, according to a report by Abortion Forward.
Throughout the spring, the Ohio House and Senate will consider items in the draft and have the opportunity to make changes. The budget will be formed into a bill before it is enacted on July 1.
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