In a new development in the ongoing battle over abortion access, congressional Republicans are making efforts to thwart a Biden administration spending rule aimed at cutting off federal funds to anti-abortion counseling centers. The rule seeks to prevent states from redirecting federal funds designated for needy Americans to “crisis pregnancy centers,” which discourage abortions. The contested funds are currently channeled through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, established in 1996 to provide cash assistance to impoverished children and prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
The proposed rule from the Health and Human Services agency, released late last year, challenges the eligibility of anti-abortion counseling centers to receive federal funds, stating that programs primarily offering pregnancy counseling after conception may not meet the required standards. The Biden administration’s move is part of its broader strategy to implement federal policies expanding abortion access, while conservative states have imposed stringent restrictions on such care since the U.S. Supreme Court curtailed federal abortion rights in 2022.
This week, congressional Republicans introduced legislation to prevent the Health and Human Services Agency from restricting funds to these centers. However, the bill faces slim chances of becoming law this year. Representative Darin LaHood of Illinois, a Republican, emphasized the importance of pregnancy centers as a vital alternative for expectant mothers during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing.
Anti-abortion counseling centers have gained popularity as platforms for conservatives to discourage abortions, with states directing increasing amounts of money to these programs over the past decade. Approximately $500 million in taxpayer dollars has been allocated to these centers by more than a dozen states since 2010. The controversial nature of these centers stems not only from discouraging abortion but also from concerns about providing misleading information on abortion and contraception, including the assertion that abortion can cause breast cancer. Most centers are religiously affiliated and lack healthcare facility licenses, offering services such as pregnancy tests and limited medical procedures like ultrasounds.
Chelsey Youman, the national director of public policy at the Human Coalition, an anti-abortion organization operating in several states, highlighted the potential loss of millions of dollars in funds and the postponement of expansion plans if the rule is implemented. Youman argued that their organization connects women with social services, such as Medicaid, while encouraging them to proceed with their pregnancies.
In response to a high-profile corruption scandal in Mississippi, where $77 million in TANF funds were misused over several years, the Health and Human Services agency is proposing changes to how states can utilize the $16.5 billion in block grants designated for the nation’s neediest families. The suggested adjustments aim to limit the funds benefiting middle- and high-income earners, with a focus on reining in the decline in cash assistance to impoverished families, which dropped from nearly 70% in 1996 to just over 21% in 2020. The proposal also seeks to restrict the use of funds for college scholarships and childcare.
