The Landscape of Reproductive Health Care and the Controversy of Anti-Abortion Funding in New York City

City Council member Vickie Paladino gave $10,000 of City Council discretionary funds to a Queens Anti-Abortion Clinic which advocates say puts immigrant women in danger. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s controversial decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last June, Paladino has not only stood out in her anti-choice stance but in her continued financial support for anti-abortion groups. Paladino, who represents Queens, awarded $10,000 in discretionary funds to Bridge to Life, a Queens-based anti-abortion crisis pregnancy center, for the 2023 budget cycle.

The Risks of Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Supporting such centers, which pose as health clinics with the intention of persuading women not to get abortions, put poor and working-class immigrant women at risk. “Crisis pregnancy centers tend to target low-income people, immigrants, and non-native speakers; people who are attracted to a place that is offering free services,” said Aviva Zadoff, director of Advocacy and Volunteer Engagement with the National Council of Jewish Women New York. These organizations do a good job trying to look and sound like a real clinic so if you are not someone who’s super familiar with our healthcare system and not familiar in English, something that is purposely trying to fool you will be more successful.

According to Elizabeth Estrada, New York Field and Advocacy Manager for the Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, these centers prey on Latina women seeking abortions. They target these communities by putting Spanish language signs in their window and ensuring they always have someone on staff that speaks Spanish. Across the five boroughs, there are at least 11 crisis pregnancy centers in operation. In New York, crisis pregnancy centers outnumber abortion clinics, with many located in heavily immigrant communities like Mott Haven in the Bronx and Jackson Heights in Queens.

City Council Response

When Roe v. Wade was overturned, the women-majority New York City Council overwhelmingly passed several bills that would create an abortion fund, strengthen access to abortion, and allow for civil lawsuits against anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers that interfere with a woman’s right to an abortion. City Council member Shahana Hanif said she was “appalled” to learn that one of her colleagues used city funds to support anti-abortion groups. “We should not be allowed to fund organizations like the Bridge to Life or any other crisis pregnancy centers,” she said. “The fact that this has happened, I find so dangerous and violent.”

Comprehensive Reproductive Care at Choices Women’s Medical Center

In contrast to crisis pregnancy centers, Choices Women’s Medical Center offers all patients the highest quality medical care in a warm, sensitive, compassionate and confidential setting. Founded by Merle Hoffman in 1971, shortly after New York State made abortion legal, CHOICES is a “midwife” to the entire concept and field of “Women’s Health”. The mission is to give patients the knowledge they need to make the best choices for themselves with the most accurate fact-based information.

Available Services and Specialized Programs

• Abortion Services: Abortion services are available to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
• Gynecological Care: A full range of gynecological testing, treatment, and Well-Woman Care.
• Prenatal and Birth Control: A complete prenatal program and various birth control options.
• LGBTQ and Trans Care: Specialized services for LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming individuals, including one of the first Trans Care programs in the country developed in 2016.
• Teen Program: Includes free pregnancy testing and specialized counseling.

Choices Women’s Medical Center is licensed by the State of New York as an outpatient medical facility and is accredited by the AAAHC. Recently, Choices Medical announced its Women-Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification, highlighting the dedication and leadership of women in business. All services are completely confidential for patients of all ages, with no parental or partner consent needed.

Comparison of Reproductive Health Facilities

Based on the provided draft, the following table compares the characteristics of crisis pregnancy centers and comprehensive medical centers like CHOICES: