October 29, 2009 - The Ohio General Assembly is once again considering the so-called "Prevention First" Act, supported by leading abortion providing chain Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups. Please use the information resources provided below and contact your state legislators to oppose this bad law.
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Thank you to Mark Lally, Legislative Counsel, Ohio Right to Life, for this critical information:
The "Prevention First Act" was introduced in the Ohio House (as H.B. 293) by Rep. Tyrone Yates (D, Cincinnati) and in the Ohio Senate (as S.B. 176) by Sen. Teresa Fedor (D, Toledo) in late September. (Portions of this bill have also been introduced as stand-alone bills in case the full bill does not go through.) The Prevention First Act contains many objectionable provisions.
In particular, the Prevention First bill tramples on the conscience rights of pro-life pharmacists, taxpayers and religious hospitals to promote use of the morning-after pill (aka, "emergency contraception"), which in some cases, causes the death of a living human embryo.
In addition, it repeals a current law which ensures that instruction in venereal disease education must stress abstinence until marriage.
See key provisions plus important talking points on grave issues of concern for both the Senate and House versions of the bill (both the same).
ACTION REQUESTED: Please contact your Ohio State Representative and your Ohio State Senator and urge them to oppose H.B. 293 and S.B. 176, the "Ohio Prevention First Act". Tell them to also oppose H.B. 333, which would enact a key portion of the Prevention First bill. Tell them that these bills would violate the conscience rights of pro-life taxpayers, pharmacists and religiously affiliated hospitals.
Find contact information for your State Representative by entering your ZIP code at www.house.state.oh.us and for your State Senator at www.ohiosenate.gov
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Further information:
Note that these state efforts in Ohio for "Prevention First" are part of a nationwide effort to enact such legislation from the local level on up.
See LifeNews.com article on the recent vote to give Franklin County Ohio Planned Parenthood $50,000 for sex education in the schools.
See LifeSiteNews.com article from earlier this year on federal plans to increase funding for pro-abortion Planned Parenthood and "family planning" efforts.
See article from American Life League last year, 2008, on federal level efforts - explanatory information still applicable.
