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Congressman Gary Ackerman Responds on Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Posted in Editorials on February 1st, 2011
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I mailed this letter to Congressman Ackerman on January 3, 2011. I received a response via email on January 25, 2011.

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act, H.R. 5652. Like you, I firmly believe in a woman’s right to access sound and medically accurate information when making reproductive-health decisions.

If enacted, the Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate and enforce rules that prohibit crisis-pregnancy centers from deceptively advertising abortion services and providing inaccurate information about the physical and psychological risks and repercussions of abortion. This legislation seeks to prevent crisis-pregnancy centers from using misinformation and deceit as tools of persuasion.

My own view is that a woman has the right to make the choice to have an abortion privately, with the advice from objective medical professionals, her family, and her religious and personal advisors. It is critical that women have the most accurate information during this difficult decision-making process. I’m troubled by reports that certain crisis-pregnancy centers falsely advertise abortion services and provide untruthful information about reproductive health-care with the intention of manipulation. Should this legislation reach the floor during the 112th Congress, you can count on my support.

I appreciate your interest in this extremely sensitive issue. I hope that you will continue to share your views and concerns with me.

Sincerely

GARY L. ACKERMAN
Member of Congress

5 Responses to “Congressman Gary Ackerman Responds on Crisis Pregnancy Centers”

  1. FrankFrankly Says:

    Where’s the letter you wrote?

  2. MissCherryPi Says:

    Hi Frank, You can find the link here. I will fix it in the post. Thanks for reading!

  3. Douglas Kirk Says:

    Much better than the letter I got from my representative:

    Dear Doug:

    Thank you for contacting me regarding federal legislation to restrict the advertising abilities of crisis pregnancy centers.

    While some state and local authorities have placed regulations on crisis pregnancy centers, I have concerns that these regulations are unconstitutional and restrict the First Amendment right to free speech. Recently, a federal judge struck down a Baltimore regulation of crisis pregnancy centers stating, “Whether a provider of pregnancy-related services is ‘pro-life’ or ‘pro-choice,’ it is for the provider — not the government — to decide when and how to discuss abortion and birth-control method.”

    Sincerely,

    Bill Huizenga (R, MI)

  4. MissCherryPi Says:

    Hi Doug. I’m glad you sent a letter to him anyway. It’s even more important when your representative disagrees with you that they know it.

    I have heard about that decision, and the NYC Council is thinking about not passing their ordinance now because of it. I don’t understand how it’s a First Amendment issue to require CPC’s to simply tell the truth when other states have required doctors to lie (there is no link between abortion and the onset of depression).

  5. Douglas Kirk Says:

    I agree. It’s a really transparent non-sequitor (since when is it a doctor’s right to lie to their patient? I must have missed a memo), but I’ve become accustomed to my representatives responding to letters with something along the lines of “freedom freedom freedom freedom my rights, therefore never.” The problems of living in a republican area.

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