Passage of Reproductive Health Care Transparency Legislation

In April 2022, I was pleased to lead the passage of my bill A05499 which directs the NYS Department of Health to conduct a study on the prevalence of limited service pregnancy centers, sometimes called “fake clinics.” These centers are not state licensed medical facilities, but frequently use tactics which can lead a reasonable person to think they can receive medical care. New Yorkers who may think they are pregnant may see an offer of a free pregnancy test as an indication that reproductive health services are available when the focus of these centers is to counsel against pregnancy termination. Startingly, much anecdotal evidence suggests that limited service pregnancy centers use misinformation, stalling tactics, and coercion to dissuade pregnant individuals from seeking an abortion. This legislation will equip the Department of Health and legislators with a clearer understanding of the prevalence, services, affiliations, and other relevant information regarding limited service pregnancy centers in New York so policymakers can determine how to best support pregnant individuals in getting accurate information and safe reproductive health care.