WOMEN ARE CONSTITUENTS TOO. AND WE HAVE THE VOTE

Here’s an item that should be filed under “Things that should be more important than a failed presidential vanity project.” Moms.gov A new federal website launched by the Dept. of Health and Human Services last month on Mother’s Day. A federal website, paid for with taxpayer dollars, that directs pregnant women to unregulated anti-abortion centers.  The website purports to offer “resources, information and help for new and expecting mothers.” But the main resources listed are 2,750 anti-abortion pregnancy centers, also known as crisis pregnancy centers, located around the country. Crisis pregnancy centers are often nonmedical, faith-based organizations with the main goal of coercing patients into continuing a pregnancy. More than 70% of these centers use deceptive tactics such as providing scientifically inaccurate information, sharing misinformation about abortion care including false risks, and hiring nonmedical staff to discuss medical issues. Nearly 40% of anti-abortion pregnancy centers do not disclose that they don’t provide abortion services. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, these types of clinics are “run by people who operate unethically and with the intention to dissuade, deter, or prevent them from seeking certain reproductive health care options,” including abortion. The federal website also connects women to crisis pregnancy centers by linking out to Option Line, a call center that refers callers to anti-abortion centers. Option Line is operated by Heartbeat International, one of the biggest anti-abortion pregnancy center groups in the country. Whose idea was this? How was it created? Who was involved in the decision to launch Moms.gov? What are the terms of the Trump administration’s partnership with Option Line? And how is the administration planning to protect the personal data of Moms.gov visitors? We do not have a national ban on abortion. Yet the Trump administration is acting like we do. And using deception on pregnant women looking for viable and trustworthy information from their government. Unfortunately they came to the wrong administration. GOP efforts have already stolen personal autonomy from women. Stolen personal freedom from each and every one of us. Taken away our most intimate and private decisions. Put us in real danger just by being pregnant, even when we choose to be. Want to be. And now you won’t even supply us with real info during potentially difficult times brought on by your efforts. Is anyone surprised?