Letter to the Washington Post: Pregnancy centers' limitations should be disclosed
Pregnancy centers' limitations should be disclosedThursday, November 26, 2009 The Nov. 23 editorial "Pregnant, and in need of help" misrepresented the intent of the Montgomery County Council legislation to require limited-service pregnancy centers (LSPCs), also known as crisis pregnancy centers, to tell women that they are not medical clinics and that women should seek professional advice before making medical decisions. Moreover, the editorial inaccurately suggested that family-planning agencies and abortion providers may not provide women with full-options counseling, including adoption and parenting information. They do -- as required by federal law. We agree that no woman should ever be coerced or misled into a personal decision. Your editorial recognized that unregulated LSPCs provide misinformation but seemed dismissive of this problem. However, we see women firsthand who are distraught because of the misinformation they've received from an LSPC and who would have avoided the experience if they had known what to expect. It is imperative that pregnant women receive comprehensive information about their options. Not having information can affect access to timely care. This legislation is about ensuring that women who visit LSPCs know about the limitations of services offered, and its passage will better the lives of women in Montgomery County. Laura Meyers,Washington The writer is president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington.
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