CRR Calls NYC CPC Decision Disappointment to Women

(PRESS RELEASE) The Center for
Reproductive Rights has joined a coalition of reproductive rights advocates in
expressing disappointment in a federal court’s 
decision to temporarily block enforcement of a New York City ordinance
regulating the deceptive practices of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs).  CPCs are non-medical facilities that counsel
pregnant women against abortion and emergency birth control services. Often
they advertise themselves in a way that suggests that they offer comprehensive
reproductive health services.

Under the ordinance, CPCs would be
required to post signs in their waiting rooms and on their websites disclosing
to clients whether they have a licensed medical provider on staff and whether
they provide or refer for prenatal care, emergency contraception or abortion.
While the court blockedenforcement of the ordinance, the judge did recognize
that “the prevention of deception related to reproductive healthcare is of
paramount importance.”

“Today’s ruling is a
disappointment, but we are heartened to hear that the city plans to immediately
appeal,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive
Rights. “There’s a long and well-documented history of crisis pregnancy centers
misleading and manipulating women seeking abortion and emergency contraceptive
services, and New York City’s ordinance would simply protect them from the
deceptive business practices in which these centers frequently engage.”

The ordinance also requires CPCs
to post signs informing clients that the New York City Department of Health
encourages women who are or may be pregnant to consult a licensed medical
provider, and includes provisions designed to ensure that CPC staff members
protect the confidentiality of their clients.

The Center for Reproductive Rights
is currently working with the City of Baltimore to defend
similar legislation against a similar legal challenge, noting that numerous
state and local governments require providers of healthcare services, goods and
information to make disclosures about what they do and do not offer, often
through posted signs.  California and
Pennsylvania, for example, require health facilities that do not provide
abortion services to post signs saying as much.