Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced that he would be ending a decades-long contract that gave state funds to a pro-life organization that has served more than 444,00 women.
The organization, Real Alternatives, was contracted in the 1990s when the state leadership moved to fund abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood. The pro-life organization distributes federal and state funds to centers around the country, as well as Catholic charities, maternity homes, and counseling centers.
Across all of Real Alternative’s agencies, the CEO said that the organization makes more than 400 counselors available at any given time to pregnant women.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the funding cut in a cheerful press release, which touts to the move as a “major win for women’s health.”
“[The DHS] Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh today announced the Commonwealth’s contract with Real Alternatives – an organization that purports to provide counseling, referrals, and other services through partnerships with crisis pregnancy centers – will come to an end by December 31, 2023,” the press release read. The announcement reminded Pennsylvanians that “abortion and reproductive health services remain safe, legal, and accessible” in the state — but counseling, free prenatal, ultrasounds, diapers, cribs, and more, will not be so accessible anymore.
It is a common misconception that has been debunked several times that abortion providers like Planned Parenthood offer women these essential materials if the woman uses her “right to choose” to choose life for her child.
In one now-viral video, Kristan Hawkins with Students for Life America spoke with an outraged college student who insisted that Planned Parenthood provides necessary items for expecting mothers who choose life. Rather than debate, Hawkins called Planned Parenthood on the spot.
“Would you like to call Planned Parenthood right now?” Hawkins asked the student, who responded “I don’t care what you have to say about it.”
Hawkins proceeded to call the nearest Planned Parenthood, just two miles away from the campus, placing the call on speaker she kindly asked, “Do you offer diapers or formula?” the woman on the phone simply replied, “Oh, we do not.”
Another video, posted by Christine Yeargin two years ago, called Planned Parenthood to ask if she could make a prenatal appointment. The woman who answered the phone responded, “the only thing we offer are abortions, or pregnancy tests, or ultrasounds in the first trimester.”
Yeargin asked if any Planned Parenthood locations around Denver, Colorado offer prenatal appointments, and again the women told her that they do not offer this form of care for pregnant women.
Despite this, Pennsylvania DHS officials felt it appropriate to state that the pro-life organization Real Alternatives “purports” to provide this care and much more for pregnant women.
“For decades, taxpayer dollars have gone to fund Real Alternatives,” Governor Shapiro said in the statement. “My Administration will not continue that pattern – we will ensure women in this Commonwealth receive the reproductive health care they deserve.”
“Pennsylvanians made clear . . . they support a woman’s freedom to choose, and I will be steadfast in defending that right,” he added.
