“Pregnancy centers serve an important purpose by making sure that women have information about positive alternatives to abortion and access to a variety of free services.”
- Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., Heartbeat International President
Abortion Cartel Attacks Pregnancy Centers with Disparaging Legislation
After mounting a strong defense against a Planned Parenthood/NARAL-driven piece of legislation (House Bill 1146, Senate Bill 690) in Maryland, Heartbeat International and our affiliates were greatly relieved when the bill died. Unfortunately, the Maryland General Assembly will not be the last legislative body manipulated by pro-abortion cohorts in an attempt to vilify pregnancy centers.
This episode began in March when the Maryland legislature considered Limited Services Pregnancy Centers - Disclaimer, a bill introduced in response to an incendiary report NARAL developed to smear pregnancy centers. In a packed House of Delegates committee room, 48 individuals testified against the bill that would force pregnancy centers to carry the disclaimer: “We do not provide medically accurate information.”
“The Limited Services Pregnancy Centers - Disclaimer would hurt women and families in communities throughout Maryland by discouraging them from benefiting from the many services our centers provide,” according to the testimony submitted by Heartbeat President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. “Pregnancy centers serve an important purpose by making sure that women have information about positive alternatives to abortion and access to a variety of free services.”
Individuals who spoke on behalf of pregnancy centers outnumbered proponents of the misleading disclaimer two to one. For more than four hours, pregnancy center directors, staff, and former clients, along with medical experts, attorneys, and representatives from our sister organizations made statements that highlighted why the legislation would harm women. House Health and Government Operations Committee members grilled those who spoke on behalf of pregnancy centers.
Heartbeat’s Maryland affiliates responded to this attack by providing poised, confident, articulate, and heart moving testimonies that addressed the critical need that pregnancy centers fill in their communities. Pregnancy centers also opposed this bill with testimony before the Senate Finance Committee.
Now is the time for those who share our values to make a lunch date with elected officials. Let your state representative and state senator know that you support the vital work of pregnancy resource centers. Pregnancy centers provide hope through free and confidential services, so women can choose life for their unborn children.
Heartbeat International, founded in 1971, is an interdenominational Christian association of nearly 1,100 pregnancy resource centers and post abortion groups in 48 states and 42 countries.
For additional comments from
President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., contact Virginia Cline at
(614) 885-7577.
