Bill Would Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation By Crisis Pregnancy Centers Capitol Comments

Senator Robert Menendez

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 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 Dis- information 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 fine 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.

Budget:

Continued From Page 1

Superintendent of Schools on the creation of the budget and will continue to present its data and reasoning in numerous conversations with legislators, county and state officials and the Department of Education to make clear the district’s need for immediate relief.”

Under the S-2 funding formula, the Jackson School District was already scheduled to lose more than $2 million in state aid for the coming year, on top of losing $16 million in aid due to S-2 cuts in the previous five years.

Compounded with inflation, extraordinary increases in nonpublic transportation, and increased English Language Learners and other services, the district remains fighting a “perfect storm,” Pormilli said.

“We are looking for any way possible to keep our district from unraveling in the face of crippling aid cuts and rising expenses outside of our control. We need every moment possible to continue that work,” she said.

Jackson’s school district was one of several in Ocean County that lost a significant amount of state aid under S-2, a 2018 bill that redistributed money away from certain schools and toward others. Originally, they were losing $6.5 million. The state passed a law allowing schools to get 66% of their lost aid back.

Parents were told that even with some restoration of funds, the district’s $2.1 million loss in state aid would still present a problem in maintaining programs and staff.

Pormilli stated during last month’s BOE meeting, “would we be grateful to not have to endure a full $6.5 million cut? Absolutely! However, we are absolutely still in crisis and we absolutely need to keep up our efforts to educate decision-makers in Trenton about our situation.”

The school budget was introduced on March 15. Pormilli testified on March 21 before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee about the crisis the district is facing in light of losing $16 million in aid over the past five years, the district’s efficiency even during impossible times, and the district’s unique rising costs - particularly in the area of nonpublic transportation.

The superintendent said the district is still facing steep cuts for the upcoming school year because it is still facing a massive deficit of revenue due to the years of S-2. Overall, 42% of the district’s state aid has been cut over the last six years.

Board of Education members urged residents to continue to support the effort and use the resources listed on the district website jacksonsd.org/domain/200 or to call Governor Phil Murphy’s office at 1-609292-6000.

Westlake Veterans Club 2nd Annual Golf Outing

JACKSON – Join the Westlake Veterans Club for their 2nd Annual Golf Outing on September 18 at the Westlake Golf and Country Club, 1 Pine Lake Circle, Jackson for a day of golf and to support fundraising to provide a service dog for a needy veteran as well as other veteran assistance in the greater Ocean County area.

Become a sponsor, register for a foursome, or register as a single player. There are multiple ways to support, and give back to the community. To learn more or to register charitygolftoday.com/westlakeveterans.

Volunteers Have Cats Available For Adoption

JACKSON – Calling All Cats is a cat rescue group made up of volunteers, some of whom work at a spay and neuter clinic. People would drop off unwanted cats. As a group, they save the babies that are left alone, the countless mothers that have had numerous litters and those that are losing or have lost their home. Meet Reece. He is super sweet and playful. He loves to be with other cats. He needs to be adopted with a friend or to a home with other cats. He is neutered, up to date on all medical and microchipped.

To help humanely lower the feline population, they spay and neuter feral cats and then find homes for the friendly adults and the offspring that have been born. The rescue works extremely hard to find the best homes for cats of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. While these cats wait, they are cared for in safe, loving, and nurturing foster homes

To start the application process, visit Calling All Cats on Facebook and Petfinder.com

Indoor Color Guard & Percussion Region Championship

JACKSON – TIA Indoor Color Guard & Percussion Region 7/10 Championship will be on April 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School Gymnasium. Join and support these talented students as they compete for the title of Regional Champion. Performances include color guards, dance teams, and percussion groups. Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors/children under 12.