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Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch Update – December 6, 2024

By December 6, 2024No Comments

This week, we are monitoring several updates in the unregulated pregnancy clinic (UPC) industry and reproductive and maternal health rights.

  1. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found UPCs give potentially dubious medical advice and highlights the lack of oversight. According to HealthDay News, “The study highlights the lack of oversight for the network of crisis pregnancy centers that has formed across the country, researchers said.”
  2. The data used for the study is available on ChoiceWatch.org, a first-of-its-kind database analyzing over 470,000 web pages from 1,825 UPCs. The ChoiceWatch platform will enable much-needed industry analysis, monitoring, and transparency long spurned by the UPC industry. According to US News and World Report coverage of ChoiceWatch.org, “By maintaining this public database, we’re creating transparency around CPC practices and providing evidence that can inform both healthcare providers and policymakers,” noted Mark Dredze, a professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University and co-creator of ChoiceWatch.org. “This transparency is essential for ensuring public health.” 
  3. Legislators in MO and TX seek new protections and funding for UPCs in bills pre-filed for legislative sessions starting in January 2025. In Missouri, State Sen Travis Fitzwater (R) is sponsoring a bill that would redirect state revenues to UPCs through a new income tax credit. In Texas, State Representative Steve Toth is sponsoring a bill focused on forcing internet service providers to block Texans’ access to websites with information on medication abortion; the bill also amends the state penal code to protect UPCs. 
  4. Yelp urged the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals to dismiss a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accusing the company of posting “misleading notices” about UPCs. According to Reuters, the lawyer for Yelp accused Paxton of “retaliating against” the company. Paxton claims the unbiased and informative notices Yelp puts on UPC pages in its directory violate fair business practice laws in Texas. 
  5. UPCs in Minnesota joined a lawsuit against the state to block women and girls’ access to reproductive health care. From WCCO News, “The lawsuit alleges that abortion providers have ‘waged war’ against pregnancy help centers [UPCs] because the centers result in a loss of so-called abortion sales. It goes on to say that Minnesota’s abortion laws harm pregnancy resource centers’ financial, reputational and professional interests.”