Louisiana Legislature looks to increase funding for controversial pregnancy centers
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Louisiana Legislature is poised to invest millions into controversial anti-abortion pregnancy centers.
SB278 looks to greatly increase funding for anti-abortion pregnancy centers in the name of trying to have better health outcomes for mothers and their babies. State Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews, D-Monroe, said her main goal is to get mothers in need connected with resources.
The state legislature has already budgeted for the centers to increase from $1 million from the state general fund to $3 million in the next fiscal year and $5 million in the fiscal year after that.
They began as anti-abortion clinics that did not provide official medical care and referred women to other resources and information.
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Jackson-Andrews said she has met with women who have greatly benefited from the centers.
“The young lady that’s not here today to testify in the House committee said that she’s become a healthier mother. Her second pregnancy was better because of her health. Also that her partner was able to receive counseling with her,” Jackson-Andrews said.
Lift Louisiana’s 2022 report on the centers shows that misinformation has been shared with women about emergency contraception and abortion. According to the report, one center said getting an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer and another said that Plan B “kills your baby.”
The bill puts the grant money into the hands of a nonprofit, which Lift is concerned will mean there are no standards or oversight of the centers. The state does not know what nonprofits will apply for the contract.
“The Department of Children Family Services really needs to make sure that they’re doing their due diligence, that they can build into the RFP process for anybody who receives this grant funding, for more requirements that actually prohibit them from sharing that kind of misinformation from clients,” said Michelle Erenberg, executive director of Lift Louisiana.
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The people who are utilizing these centers are often young, low-income and under-educated, according to Lift’s report.
The funding is also a backfill of federal funds as the Biden administration cracks down on how states spend Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars. The state has funneled millions of that federal money into the centers over the years as part of the Alternatives to Abortion Program.
The bill now heads to the House floor, where it could be its final vote before it is sent to the governor’s desk.
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