A move to prevent abortions in Nebraska after approximately six weeks is shedding light on crisis pregnancy centers in the state.

The centers are in line for major cash infusions, while critics insist the sites often hide an anti-abortion agenda, and trick women into remaining pregnant.

At least two pro-life Republican lawmakers, Thurston’s Joni Albrecht and Bellevue’s Rita Sanders tout the state’s many privately funded centers that help women with unplanned pregnancies find other options, such as adoption.

Sanders telling Unicameral Update, “When someone complains that (pro-life senators) don’t care about mother or baby after birth, I respectfully disagree,” she said noting that the centers outnumber abortion clinics in the state by an 8-to-1 margin. “Nebraska was ranked 11th in family-friendliness in having a baby…there are many amazing resources available to pregnant women, said Sanders.”

But Douglas County Commissioner Maureen Boyle, a practicing OB-GYN, who led a recent rally against the six-week ban, tells NCN, “The emergency pregnancy services often have ulterior motives. To be honest they often have religious motives. What we’re trying to do is say, ‘We really need to get folks in with their doctors.’"

According to a Spring, 2022 8-page ACLU of Nebraska report looking into 16 “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” operating in 22 different Nebraska locations from Omaha to Scottsbluff, only one of the 16 on their websites “clearly disclosed that it is not a medical facility.” The ACLU report adds that five websites “alarmingly…suggest that abortion procedures should be delayed or postponed due to the probability of a miscarriage—arguing that there is no point in accessing abortion care if the pregnancy will likely result in a miscarriage.”  

Essential Pregnancy Services in Omaha tells NCN that Pregnancy Help Organizations, “lead with love” adding “PHO’s that provide medical services, such as ultrasounds, do so under a physician’s medical license and that physician’s orders.”

Not so says Commissioner/Dr. Boyle: “There are not physicians involved in those organizations, they are not physicians' offices."

In addition, the ACLU report cites one woman, only identified as Jennifer from Omaha, complaining, “They told me I was a full month later in my pregnancy than I actually was, so I thought I had less time to make my decision. It wasn’t until I went to an actual medical facility that I learned they had given me wildly inaccurate information.”

Shortly after the ACLU report, NCN examined the website of Bellevue’s Essential Pregnancy Services located a just a few blocks from Dr. Leroy Carhart’s abortion clinic.

At that time EPS listed 35 patient reviews, 28 5-star excellent ratings, and seven one-star poor grades.

Among the poor reviews were these in the last five years from two women and a man:

  • “Terrible place. They SHAME AND JUDGE women. Give them false information.” EPS responded, “Your comments are unfortunate and untrue.”
  • “DO NOT GO. THEY ARE LYING TO THEIR PATIENTS. PLEASE BE SAFE GALS.” EPS responded, “We’re disappointed to receive this review…please consider calling us.”
  • “These people are horrible. They literally made my girlfriend run out crying. The (sic) scared her and made her feel stupid and guilty.” EPS responded, “We are sorry to hear about your girlfriend’s experience…we would like to address her concerns.”

EPS in Omaha told News Channel Nebraska that PHO’s, “Support moms and their babies throughout their pregnancies and beyond."

A hearing is scheduled for Friday on Sen. Albrecht’s bill (LB606) which would make tax credits available to those who donate to the centers. According to Albrecht, the centers would be allowed to expand the services they provide which, "no mere government program can do."

 

Here is the complete statement from EPS:

Pregnancy Help Organizations (PHOs) are life affirming nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of services to women facing unexpected pregnancies. Nebraska PHOs include pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, adoption agencies, and life-affirming social services agencies. The support services provided are donor driven and range from pregnancy testing, STI testing and treatment, and ultrasounds to material assistance, parental education, housing assistance and much more. PHOs that provide medical services, such as ultrasounds, do so under a physician's medical license and that physician's orders. 

What PHOs do is lead with love. For example, in just the last 10 months one of our Nebraska PHOs provided over 24,000 items in material assistance (maternity clothes, pack and plays, etc.) to the women they served – all at no cost. Another Nebraska PHO is currently serving 198 pregnant women and over the last 18 months has served clients from 81 zip codes and five states.

Pregnancy Help Organizations exist to love and serve the incredibly brave, resilient women that walk through our doors. We support moms and their babies throughout their pregnancies and well beyond.

 The Nebraska Pregnancy Care Alliance is a nonprofit organization that exists to unify and strengthen Pregnancy Help Organizations across the state by providing support, resources, and training.