Release: Pregnant Floridians are at risk

TALLAHASSEE – Networks funding and overseeing anti-abortion centers, sometimes called “crisis pregnancy centers,” are advising their locations to “not diagnose or offer follow up care to patients they suspect to have an ectopic pregnancy or a pregnancy complication,” new reporting reveals. Advocates have long warned about the unethical practices of these centers, namely the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, which receives $29.5 million of state taxpayer money each year to operate around 93 locations.

A memo released by Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch details findings that assert the centers “appear to prioritize potential legal risk, discouraging diagnosis or follow-up care to minimize their legal exposure, even in potentially life-threatening cases.” 

Staci Tanouye, MD, FACOG described the use of taxpayer money on these centers as “highly concerning,” going on to affirm, “Patients seeking pregnancy confirmation deserve compassionate, honest, and evidence-based counseling from a trained health care professional regardless of their ultimate decision to continue the pregnancy, explore adoption, or end the pregnancy.”

Anti-abortion centers use deceptive tactics to lure people in who are seeking pregnancy tests, STD testing, and other sexual health resources. Once inside, they’re met by individuals who are not medically trained and have no safety standards, who may jeopardize medical privacy, and will share dangerous disinformation about abortion and contraception.

Senator Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Delray Beach) have filed legislation (SB 242, HB 6001) that would repeal the Florida Pregnancy Care Network and terminate the annual $29.5 million contract paid for with taxpayer money.

“Anti-abortion centers, which use scare tactics and disinformation to pressure people into giving birth, pose a serious threat to reproductive health care across the country,” said Sawyeh Esmaili, Senior Counsel, Reproductive Rights and Health at the National Women’s Law Center. “Floridians already must navigate a cruel near-total abortion ban in a state that still hasn’t expanded Medicaid, and federal cuts will make accessing basic reproductive health care even more challenging. This investigation further emphasizes that – despite their claims – anti-abortion centers are not providing health care to pregnant people and cannot be trusted to provide honest, legitimate care to people in need. We strongly urge pregnant Floridians to avoid these fraudulent centers and call on the Florida Legislature to stop sending them millions of dollars in taxpayer funds.”

“Institutions in the Florida Pregnancy Care Network often conceal their religious motives in order to ensnare Floridians into giving birth against their will. It is extremely disturbing that our taxpayer dollars are enabling centers that not only lie to patients, but also risk the health and safety of Floridians to advance an extremist agenda. This is a blatant violation of the separation of church and state. Pregnant people deserve care from honest, trained professionals who put the patient’s health and well-being first,” said Nicole McCurdy from Catholics for Choice.

In multiple instances, these centers even advertise on their websites the importance of going in-person to screen for an ectopic pregnancy, yet none of their staff or volunteers are qualified to diagnose, treat, or discuss the condition.  

Devon Graham, organizer with the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom Coalition stated, “In May of 2024, Florida Republican Congresswoman Kat Cammack faced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, further complicated by Florida’s near-total abortion ban. What if she had gone to one of these centers for an ultrasound, like Sira in Gainesville who advertises ‘private and professional pregnancy medical care,’ including ultrasounds? Would they have missed or even lied to her about the diagnosis, delaying emergency care even longer?” 

Despite centers advertising ultrasounds, they are being instructed they should not diagnose, follow up, or assume responsibility. This presents an extreme danger for patients, especially those who may have an ectopic pregnancy, which is the case for 1-2% of all pregnancies. 

Floridians can access printable resources about these centers and their options around pregnancy, parenting, and abortion at bit.ly/floridaoptions. 

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