COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio today announced that the three organizations intend to merge, effective July 1. The new non-profit will be an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America called Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (PPGO), serving 68 of Ohio‘s 88 counties. PPGO will be an integrated, non-profit organization combining patient care, education and public policy.

The new organization and its CEO will be based in Columbus. Regional program and management staff around the state will oversee local health centers, education and outreach programs and fundraising.

Merging will increase the organizations’ political clout in the state by enhancing and augmenting its public policy and communications work to defend and enhance the Planned Parenthood brand. Merging also will increase the organizations’ medical and business expertise. This consolidation follows a federation-wide trend of affiliate mergers. Other recent statewide mergers include Arizona, Illinois and Iowa.

The objective for creating PPGO is to become stronger, maximize the capacity to serve patients, strengthen the organizations’ infrastructure, increase public policy influence and speak more clearly and strongly, with one voice.

Two other unprecedented changes in the past 18 months have magnified the need for one unified voice and presence in Ohio — health care reform implementation and the dramatically changing political landscape at the state and federal levels.

Their commitment to providing top-notch care to patients, regardless of their ability to pay, will not change. There will be no change in how patients access services.

More than 96% of what Planned Parenthood does in Ohio is life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, prevention and treatment of STDs, breast health services, pap tests and sexual health education.

Nationally, 1 in 5 women have turned to Planned Parenthood at some time in their lives for professional, non-judgmental and confidential care.

Planned Parenthood also provides accurate and non-judgmental health information, including comprehensive sex educations programs for youth – from abstinence to birth control.

About —

Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio offers a full range of services at eight health care centers and provides community education programs in central, northwest and southeast Ohio.

Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio provides reproductive health care, family planning services and sexuality education at 13 health centers in 21 Northeast Ohio counties.

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio is the public policy arm of Ohio‘s three Planned Parenthood affiliates.

CONTACT: Stephanie Tresso, +1-614-221-2885 x15, stresso@murphyepson.com

SOURCE Planned Parenthood