Reproductive Equity Now Statement on New MA DPH Guidance Regarding Anti-Abortion
Guidance comes after Repro Equity Now recently filed complaints against two licensed anti-abortion centers
BOSTON (January 5, 2024) — Reproductive Equity Now President Rebecca Hart Holder released the following statement today after the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued guidance outlining and reminding licensed providers, clinics, and hospitals of their obligations under state law and as a condition of licensure. These obligations include “providing patients accurate and complete information for informed decision-making, accurate portrayal and advertising of clinical services, and licensees practicing within their scope of practice and their license.”
Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now: “Anti-abortion centers pose a serious threat to pregnant people seeking unbiased reproductive health care in Massachusetts. We’re proud that the Department of Public Health is taking our complaints against these anti-abortion centers seriously and issued guidance to ensure that licensed providers and facilities understand their obligation to offer patients complete and accurate information on all of their reproductive health care options. We thank Commissioner Dr. Robert Goldstein for his bold leadership and look forward to continuing our work together to combat anti-abortion centers’ deception and disinformation.”
Reproductive Equity Now recently filed two complaints against two different licensed Massachusetts anti-abortion centers: Clearway Clinic in Worcester and Your Options Medical’s new anti-abortion mobile van preparing to operate on Cape Cod. Reproductive Equity Now called for an investigation surrounding the facilities’ alleged deceptive advertising practices and potential out-of-scope medical practice.
Both complaints followed Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Robert Goldstein’s letter to the editor in the Boston Globe that encouraged those who have concerns about the “qualifications or safety of care delivered by a nurse or physician” to file a formal complaint to initiate an investigation. People who have had a negative experience with anti-abortion centers can call Reproductive Equity Now’s Abortion Legal Hotline at 833-309-6301 to report their case and be referred to pro bono attorneys. Patients can also file a report with the Attorney General Office’s Civil Rights Division online or at 617-963-2917.
For patients in need of legitimate abortion, reproductive, and sexual health care services, Reproductive Equity Now’s New England Abortion Care Guide identifies your nearest reproductive health care clinic and flags dangerous anti-abortion centers to avoid in your area.
BACKGROUND:
Anti-abortion centers, also known as "crisis pregnancy centers," are not legitimate health care providers. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, anti-abortion centers present themselves to be pregnancy health care providers but “actually aim to dissuade people from accessing certain types of reproductive health care, including abortion care and even contraceptive options.” The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office notes that “CPCs do NOT provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare. CPCs are organizations that seek to prevent people from accessing abortion care.”
Anti-abortion centers more than double the number of legitimate abortion clinics in Massachusetts. Reproductive Equity Now’s New England Abortion Care Guide identifies 19 abortion clinics and 39 anti-abortion centers in the Bay State. Anti-abortion centers often position themselves directly next to legitimate clinics to confuse patients.
Massachusetts has allocated major funding to educate residents on the harms of anti-abortion centers. In February of 2023, Governor Maura Healy approved $1 million for a public education campaign to illuminate the dangers of anti-abortion centers for Bay Staters.
###