Orlando Advocates for Stricter Regulations on Crisis Pregnancy Centers Following Funding Increase

Orlando Proposes New Regulations for Crisis Pregnancy Centers Amid Increased Funding

Orlando, FL – In a significant move, Florida’s Democratic State Representatives Kelly Skidmore and Anna Eskamani are pushing for stronger regulations on crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) as the state’s alternatives-to-abortion program receives an additional $4.5 million in funding for the year. This effort aims to increase oversight and transparency for organizations funded by the state and comes in light of ongoing concerns regarding the accuracy of the information these centers provide.

What is Happening?

The proposed House Bill 63, known as Pregnancy Support and Wellness Services, seeks to implement essential regulatory guidelines for organizations that contract with the Florida Pregnancy Care Network (FPCN). The FPCN is a nonprofit that manages Florida’s alternatives-to-abortion program, which has faced criticism for its lack of oversight and for using public funds without adequate compliance measures.

Why is This Important?

Eskamani emphasized that these centers often misinform pregnant individuals about abortion options, presenting medically inaccurate information. “Crisis pregnancy centers operate with little to no oversight while receiving millions of public dollars annually — money that could otherwise go toward legitimate, evidence-based health care,” she stated. She aims to protect both patients and taxpayers with this renewed push for regulation.

Who is Involved?

The bill is co-sponsored by Skidmore and is backed by several advocates for patient rights and transparency in healthcare. Eskamani, who has experience working with Planned Parenthood, stressed that the goal of the legislation is to ensure accountability by requiring CPCs to meet established standards similar to other publicly funded programs.

Details of the Proposed Regulations

Under HB 63, organizations receiving state money must provide medically accurate materials and information to clients. This includes facts about abortion, which many CPCs have been found to misrepresent. For instance, some centers have erroneously claimed that abortion increases cancer risk or mislead individuals about how far along they are in their pregnancy.

Facilities failing to adhere to these requirements could face financial penalties. Additionally, the Florida Department of Health would be mandated to conduct annual financial audits and unannounced visits to ensure compliance with these new standards.

Funding Context

The FPCN’s funding has significantly increased, with allocations rising from $4 million in 2022 to an expected $29.5 million in the current year, supporting CPCs that some critics describe as predatory. The previous year, the funding had seen a five-fold increase in connection with Florida’s six-week abortion ban.

Next Steps

The proposal is set to be revisited during Florida’s upcoming legislative session, which begins on March 4, 2025. However, its fate remains uncertain. Similar legislation was introduced last year but failed to progress past committee hearings. With the Republican-controlled legislature, it is unclear whether HB 63 will receive the necessary attention and support this time around.

Community Reaction

Support for the bill reflects a growing concern among citizens about the operations of CPCs and the ethical implications of funding facilities that may not provide accurate healthcare information. Advocates argue that ensuring truth in healthcare and integrity in the use of taxpayer dollars should be a bipartisan issue that fosters patient protections.

This legislative effort highlights the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights and healthcare access in Florida, as the state grapples with a significant shift in abortion regulations and funding priorities.