Support New York City's Women

One-third of women will have an abortion at some time in their lives. For years, New York City residents seeking abortion care have had to contend with the existence of so-called "pregnancy resource centers" (also known as crisis pregnancy centers, or CPCs) located near clinics that provide abortion services. These "resource centers" are intentionally placed near free-standing abortion clinics such as Planned Parenthood in the hopes of luring women seeking a medical service into their doors. The centers rarely have any medical personnel, and have as their mission to prevent women from choosing abortion (see this recent New York Times article for more information). They often do so using misleading information, and they do so with the help of our tax dollars, according to a 2006 report commissioned by Representative Henry Waxman.

Because CPCs misleadingly claim to provide medical services and full spectrum pregnancy options, doctors, women, and women's advocates have been rallying to make sure women have full information of what they can expect when walking in the door. Baltimore recently passed legislation that would require CPCs to clearly post signs stating that they do not offer or refer for abortion or contraception services.

On November 16th 2010 at 1:00 PM, the New York City Council will be hearing testimony from the public to consider similar legislation here. I strongly urge any of our New York physicians who take care of women to either attend the meeting or submit testimony directly to the Council.

This is not about the morality of abortion, or judgements about the choices women make. This is about every patient's right to accurate information and to access routine medical services.