An increasing number of states are providing public funding for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), the Los Angeles Times reports. CPCs often hide their anti-choice agenda, advertising as abortion centers or medical clinics in an attempt to lure in so-called “abortion-vulnerable clients” and dissuade them from having abortions with medically inaccurate information.
Ten states will together devote at least $13 million to deterring women from abortion this year, according to the Times. A report released by Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) in July 2006 states that CPCs receive over $30 million in federal funding. The National Abortion Federation (NAF) estimates that 4,000 CPCs currently operate in the United States.
“Crisis pregnancy centers have a long history of harassing and deceiving women,” said Vicki Saporta, President of NAF. “It’s despicable that taxpayer dollars would go to fund organizations that regularly give out medical misinformation that’s harmful to women’s health.”
Rep. Waxman’s study found that 20 out of 23 federally funded CPCs contacted by undercover investigators gave out misleading information on the effects of abortion on physical, reproductive, and mental health, falsely claiming, among other things, that abortion leads to infertility and an increased risk of breast cancer.
