crisis pregnancy center
Last updatedWhat to know
Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), also known as pregnancy resource centers, are nonprofit, often religiously affiliated organizations that aim to prevent or interfere with an individual’s decision to end a pregnancy. CPCs are more common than abortion clinics in the United States. They advertise as family planning centers and, in some cases, offer free or low-cost pregnancy and STI tests, prenatal care, and material support such as clothing and diapers.
The 2018 Supreme Court case National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra involved a California law that required CPCs to both disclose whether they are licensed and provide clients with information about all reproductive health and contraception options, including abortion. The law was passed in response to a NARAL report that alleged the clinics were using false or misleading advertising, but the Court struck it down on the grounds that requiring the disclosures violated the First Amendment right to free speech. If discussing CPCs, it may be useful to provide the legal context and framework that protects these centers.
Because these facilities have purposes different from centers that focus on reproductive issues and family planning without the intent to dissuade certain kinds of medical care (though they may advertise themselves similarly), the term “crisis pregnancy center” is not interchangeable with “reproductive health center” (a facility like Planned Parenthood or Whole Woman’s Health).
Additional resources
- A Web-Based Geolocated Directory of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) in the United States (National Institutes of Health)
- High court rules against Calif. crisis pregnancy center law (Associated Press)
- What “crisis pregnancy centers” really do (Vox)
Summary
A crisis pregnancy center (CPC) is an organization that advertises as a family planning center but is focused on anti-abortion efforts. Because these facilities have purposes different from centers that focus on reproductive issues and family planning without the intent to dissuade certain kinds of medical care (though they may advertise themselves similarly), the term “crisis pregnancy center” is not interchangeable with “reproductive health center” (a facility like Planned Parenthood or Whole Woman’s Health). Giving a brief explanation on first reference is helpful.