FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2024
Contact: Kelli Robinson, press@reproaction.org

Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch, Reproaction launch finance tracker for unregulated anti-abortion pregnancy centers

Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch and Reproaction have partnered to launch UPCFinanceWatch.com, a database that tracks the finances of anti-abortion pregnancy centers (sometimes referred to as unregulated pregnancy clinics). The tracker, which will be updated regularly, is a one-stop-shop for financial data on anti-abortion pregnancy centers, including some of the largest anti-abortion pregnancy center networks in the country.

These centers are well-funded, with a sizeable chunk of their money coming from taxpayers. According to a recent report from Equity Forward, more than $500 million in taxpayer money has been funneled to anti-abortion pregnancy centers since Roe was overturned.

“For years, Reproaction has tirelessly worked to expose these deceptive anti-abortion pregnancy centers and alert potential clients to the harmful practices pervasive within the industry,” Erin Matson, President, Co-Founder and CEO of Reproaction said. “Now, UPCFinanceWatch.com unveils the alarming financial influence wielded by the anti-abortion pregnancy center industry, which we hope will spur more investigations from public officials, more interest within the public, and ultimately, more accountability. We are grateful for the work Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch has done to build this invaluable tool, and proud to partner with them to launch it.”

Anti-abortion pregnancy centers lure pregnant people through their doors by offering free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. The goal of these centers, however, is to use disinformation and shame to deter pregnant people from getting abortions. The majority of anti-abortion centers are affiliated with larger networks, including Heartbeat International, Care Net, Human Coalition, and Obria, among others.

“The unregulated pregnancy clinic industry has long been shrouded in secrecy, actively resisting legislative efforts aimed at scrutinizing its impact, its use of public funds, and its data privacy practices,” said Jenifer McKenna of Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch. “As state and federal lawmakers explore new proposals to allocate — and even expand — taxpayer funding to this sector, UPCFinanceWatch.com is, for the first time, revealing the staggering scale of the industry, which boasts an astonishing $1.7 billion in revenue and continues to grow.”

To view the tracker, please click here.

###

Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch exposes and counters efforts to obstruct access to reproductive and maternal health care. We monitor, investigate, and expose drivers of disinformation and regressive policy in the reproductive and maternal health landscape. We work with partners and allies to ensure every patient can access credible reproductive and maternal health information and the care they deserve.

Reproaction leads bold action to increase access to abortion and advance reproductive justice. Please send all media inquiries and interview requests to press@reproaction.org.