LOCALIZE IT: Anti-abortion pregnancy centers offering more medical services. Find sites near you

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI
Associated Press

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:

Across the U.S., more anti-abortion pregnancy centers are expanding to include medical services.

Supporters of such organizations are hopeful that their expansion will appeal to women at risk of becoming uninsured due to upcoming changes to Medicaid and an increasing lack of access to traditional health clinics — particularly those that offer abortion. The expansion has been unfolding for years, but gained steam after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago, clearing the way for states to ban abortion.

These pregnancy centers, commonly known as crisis pregnancy centers, generally provide services for free and don’t bill insurance. In Republican-dominant states, many are seeing an uptick in taxpayer subsidies to help grow their footprint. This boost in support has allowed them to offer testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and provide primary medical care at some centers.

The push could get more momentum with Planned Parenthood closing some clinics and considering shuttering more following changes to Medicaid. Planned Parenthood is not just the nation’s largest abortion provider, but also offers cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and other reproductive health services.

Longstanding critics warn against this trend, saying that pregnancy centers don’t hold the same medical standards as other providers and often tout anti-abortion and other conservative messages.

Meanwhile, a key battle over the centers is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court this fall.

___

READ AP’S COVERAGE

Anti-abortion pregnancy centers are looking to offer much more than ultrasounds and diapers

— — —

Wisconsin Planned Parenthood resumes offering abortions after a nearly monthlong pause

___

WHERE TO FIND ABORTION PROVIDERS AND PREGNANCY CENTERS

Public health researchers at the University of Georgia concerned about aspects of the pregnancy centers have been mapping their steady expansion in the U.S. since 2018. According to their latest map, updated in early 2024, more than 2,600 centers were operating in the U.S. That total does not include mobile clinics, which are also very popular.

Find the map here.

Planned Parenthood, currently the largest abortion provider in the U.S., has a list of their clinics here.

The organization says it has nearly 600 Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide. However, that number has been fluctuating as clinics have begun shuttering due to Medicaid funding cuts and other challenges. Along with the map, keep an eye on Planned Parenthood’s website for closures in your region.

___

CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS AND SOURCES

— How many pregnancy center are in your state or your coverage area?

— What kind of services do they provide outside of providing free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds? Do they offer STI testing? Do they offer condoms or other birth control methods? If you’re in a state with a strict abortion ban, ask them if and how they’ve pivoted since Dobbs was overturned? What new services are they offering now?

— Who is going to these centers? Talk to patients to learn more about how and why they went to these centers and if they would recommend them to others. What medical services did they receive?

— Look at who is on the board of directors of these centers. It’s not uncommon for state lawmakers, local leaders and other influential officials to hold these seats.

— How many Planned Parenthood clinics are in your state or your coverage area? What about other abortion providers? Have any been forced to close? Why?

___

READ ADDITIONAL AP COVERAGE

Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal from New Jersey faith-based pregnancy center

Maine clinics denied Medicaid funds during lawsuit after Trump cuts to abortion providers

Wisconsin Planned Parenthood pauses abortions amid federal Medicaid funding cut

Millions in tax dollars flow to anti-abortion centers in US

___

Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to the Local News Success team at localizeit@ap.org. View guides published in the last 30 days here.