Crisis pregnancy centers have received at least half a billion dollars since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal abortion protections in June 2022, a States Newsroom investigation found. The centers discourage women from seeking abortion and contraception, which medical experts say pose a threat to public health. (Illustration by David Jack Browning for States Newsroom)
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, state governments have been deciding how to regulate abortion. This includes which organizations receive funding for reproductive health.
Crisis pregnancy centers, religious organizations that offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds but discourage women from having abortions, are seeing an influx of taxpayer money. At the same time, authorities are cutting funding from Planned Parenthood and other health care facilities across the country.
States Newsroom a 50-state investigation Auditing the state and federal budgets and tax records of hundreds of crisis pregnancy centers across the country.
In Episode 18, you’ll hear from a reproductive rights reporter at the States Newsroom Sofia Resnickwhich will break down how this is developing and how public money is being spent.
You will also hear from Kristin Lyerlya gynecologist based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Since 2013, Lyerly has worked in rural Minnesota, Arizona and at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Wisconsin. She will share her first-hand experiences at the heart of the fight for abortion access.
Finally, Evening wrapping Newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s seeing.
Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States, composed by David Singer.
Click Here for the full transcript.
Relevant reading from state newsrooms and partners:
- Tax dollars flood pregnancy centers. Supervision was not followed. (State Newsroom)
- The argument for an abortion procedure is unlawful and barbaric. Will it work again? (State Newsroom)
- ‘We’re not done yet’: Missouri GOP pushes for penalties, fetal personhood in renewed abortion battle (Missouri Independent)
- Appeals court strikes down Ohio law requiring burial of abortion remains (Ohio Capital Journal)
Do you have questions? An episode idea? Send us an email at Podcast@statesnewsroom.com
This podcast is produced by States Newsrooma nonprofit news station that includes West Virginia Watch and is a 501c(3) charity supported by grants and a coalition of donors.
