Bill Would Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation By

Capitol Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) led a group of Senate colleagues in introducing the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act that would ban false advertising related to abortion services by Crisis Pregnancy Centers. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prohibit deceptive or misleading advertising related to the provision of abortion services and collect penalties from organizations in violation. Each year, thousands of pregnant people seeking objective and medically sound reproductive health care end up walking into crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), who falsely and deliberately advertise themselves as comprehensive reproductive health care providers, yet, their intent is to discourage pregnant people from having abortions.

“Reproductive rights remain under a coordinated assault by Republicans across the nation including the latest attempts to ban medication abortion, which is why it is so critical that we preserve access to trusted information and comprehensive reproductive health care services,” said Sen. Menendez. “Our bicameral SAD Act, will direct the FTC to prohibit deceptive and misleading advertisements about abortion services by crisis pregnancy centers that jeopardize women’s health and well-being. It is time to crack down

Crisis Pregnancy Centers

on these centers, stop their harmful and misleading tactics, and finally hold them accountable for their actions.”

CPCs routinely use a variety of deceptive tactics, including making false claims about reproductive health care and disseminating inaccurate, misleading, and stigmatizing information about abortion and contraception. Additionally, most CPCs in the United States do not employ licensed medical personnel or provide referrals for birth control or abortion care.

According to the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Public Health and Surveillance, there are more than 2,500 CPCs in the United States, though some anti-abortion groups claim that the number is closer to 4,000. One study found that, on average, CPCs outnumber abortion clinics nationwide by an average of 3 to 1, but in some states, the ratio is as high as 11 to 1. According to published reports, New Jersey has 54 crisis pregnancy centers with at least one in every county.

The legislation is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, NARAL Pro-Choice America, American Public Health Association, Guttmacher Institute, Power to Decide, National Women’s Law Center, National Birth Equity Collaborative, National Organization for Women, National Women’s Health Network, Medical Students for Choice, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), IPAS Partners for Reproductive Justice, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Council of Jewish Women, Latina

Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Catholics for Choice, American Atheists, and National Council of Jewish Women New York.

“Everybody deserves to have access to accurate, comprehensive, and unbiased medical information to make personal decisions about their health and bodies,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju. “NARAL applauds Rep. Bonamici and Sen. Menendez’s leadership on the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act, which would help put an end to false advertising from fake health centers that intentionally lie to, shame, and mislead pregnant people seeking an abortion in order to block them from accessing care. As we continue to face an abortion rights and access crisis, now is the time to fight for our freedom to access care and ensure that health information is accurate and unbiased.”

“Anti-abortion facilities cause chaos and confusion by using disinformation to mislead and deter people from getting the basic health care services they need and deserve,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Everyone should have medically accurate and unbiased information about their health care options.”

Local Centers

There are several crisis pregnancy centers in the area. The Open Door in Toms River has an entire web page explaining that they will give information about abortion, but at the bottom, in very fi ne print, it says “The Open Door does not perform or refer for abortions.”

Compare this to the Birthright locations in Toms River and Barnegat which don’t mention abortion at all.

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21st Annual “Blue Mass”

Local O cer Honored By National Organization

HOWELL – Howell Township Police Patrolman Dan Murphy is one of 27 officers nationwide being honored by the National Association of Police Organizations by receiving their Top Cop award. He is being recognized for his heroic actions during a MOCERT tactical team activation. He will receive the award on May 12 at a banquet in Washington D.C. during National Police Week. Congrats Dan, well deserved!

–Photo courtesy Howell Police

Howell Night At e BlueClaws

HOWELL – “It might be, it could be, it is... a home run!” Join Howell Township in July for: Howell Night at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, July 27, 7:05 p.m. start.

Cost is $17 and includes: reserve seat ticket, hot dog, soda, novelty ice cream and boardwalk game ticket.

All tickets can be purchased through online link: fevogm.com/event/Howelltownship/offer

Ramtown Fire 7th Annual Golf Outing

RAMTOWN – Ramtown Fire Company’s 7th annual Golf Outing will be on May 1 at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Colts Neck. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch included with lots of door prizes. $130 per person.

Call 732-458-0222 for more information.