"Crisis Pregnancy Centers" Report
Waxman Report Confirms "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" Mislead Women; Planned Parenthood Urges Congress to Stop Wasting Taxpayer Dollars
WASHINGTON, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today applauded Rep. Henry Waxman's (D-CA) report on so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" (CPCs) and urged Congress to stop funding organizations whose goal is to mislead and coerce women facing unintended pregnancy. Since 2001, CPCs have received more than $30 million in federal funding.
"Planned Parenthood applauds Rep. Waxman for exposing the dangerous nature of so-called 'crisis pregnancy centers' and their assault on women's health," said Stephenie Foster, PPFA vice president of public policy. "Women who enter crisis pregnancy centers are walking into a trap. There is no excuse for taxpayer dollars going to organizations whose goal is to mislead and mistreat women facing unintended pregnancy."
Rep. Waxman's report found that an overwhelming majority (87 percent) of CPCs reached in the investigation provided misleading, medically inaccurate information about abortion. CPCs often withhold essential, medically accurate reproductive health information from women who are led to believe that they are visiting a neutral and objective medical facility. Despite the fact that the women who come to them are clearly sexually active and at risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection, CPCs lecture them about abstinence instead of explaining contraception, if they provide any sexual health information at all.
"Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest and most trusted voluntary provider of reproductive health services because we provide our patients with unbiased, medically accurate information about the full range of pregnancy options: parenting, adoption and abortion — as well as access to birth control to prevent future unintended pregnancies," added Foster. "The best way to help women protect their health is to give them the tools they need to make responsible choices for themselves and their families."
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Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 860 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.
Contacts
Erin Kiernon, 202-973-4975
Published: 07.17.06
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