Pennsylvania plans to end on Dec. 31 its longstanding contract with the nonprofit Real Alternatives, the first organization in the nation to secure significant state and federal subsidies to support anti-abortion counseling centers. Under the program, Real Alternatives distributed the state and federal funds to dozens of Pennsylvania centers, including Catholic Charities, anti-abortion counseling centers and maternity homes, which provide support and housing for pregnant women.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement his administration would not “continue that pattern” of subsidizing the organization, saying he was steadfast in defending abortion access.

Tens of millions of taxpayer dollars across the U.S. have been sent to such organizations, which are typically religiously affiliated. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion last year, Republican-led states have sent more tax dollars to what are sometimes called “crisis pregnancy centers,” while Democratic-leaning states apply more scrutiny to them.

  • dragonflyteaparty@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Gee, maybe because of our abysmal health and sex education. The fact that there are all ages of people who can visit these clinics and teenagers who think you can’t get pregnant standing up. Maybe because women are lied to about abortion risks, gestational age until it’s too late to get an abortion, and lied to about pregnancy risks they may have or risks that could go unnoticed because the staff dresses up like medical professionals even though they aren’t. Women could easily not see an actual doctor because of insurance or cost. Seems like you have zero idea what you’re talking about.

    These people are not medical professionals. To be as you describe, they would have to make it abundantly clear that they are not a medical clinic, they do not provide medical advise, but religious counseling. They don’t. They cosplay as medical personnel and lie to vulnerable women. It doesn’t matter if most people wouldn’t be taken in by it. Some are. The lies work.