“The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn California’s requirement that so-called crisis pregnancy centers make clear what services they do and do not offer is a blow to women everywhere. Everyone has a right to expect truth in advertising generally, but it’s especially true when it comes to health services.“ Since 2015, California law—which NCJW’s California members were integral in passing— has required crisis pregnancy centers to post notices informing their patients about the availability of free or low-cost abortions and other family planning services, and to provide the telephone number of the state agency that can put patients in touch with appropriate providers.

“Crisis pregnancy centers, also known as ‘fake health clinics,’ look and feel like medical clinics in many cases. They use advertising that makes women believe they are going to see a doctor or another medical provider. Under the challenged law, groups that are not licensed to provide medical services — but often try to dissuade women from obtaining abortion care, for example — must include disclaimers in their advertisements to make clear, in up to 13 languages, that they do not offer medical help.

“Crisis pregnancy centers use deceptive and coercive practices to confuse and intimidate women seeking reproductive healthcare options, often to the detriment of their rights and well-being. NCJW believes that everyone has the right to make their own decisions about their body, health, and family based on unbiased, accurate, and complete information about the full range of reproductive healthcare options.”

“By siding with these fake health clinics over California’s thoughtful law, the Supreme Court has placed extremist ideology over the health and safety of women across the country. This is an unacceptable step in the wrong direction.”