Crisis Pregnancy Centers Grow Amid Health Service Gaps in Rural Areas

In Sandpoint, Idaho, an anti-abortion pregnancy center known as 7B Care Clinic operates on the outskirts of town. It was formerly called Life Choices Pregnancy Center and has been active since 2001. The clinic is affiliated with Care Net, a national network of Christian evangelical centers. It offers pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, parenting and life skills classes, community support groups, and other resources free of charge.

These centers are termed crisis pregnancy centers and aim to discourage abortions by providing pregnant women with limited resources and medical services. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has accused many such centers of unethical and deceptive practices to attract people.

Activity at 7B has notably increased following the closure of a local hospital’s labor and delivery unit, with an exodus of OB-GYNs from the area. This void has left significant gaps in reproductive healthcare for the town of over 10,000 residents. “We are seeing a lot more people,” said Janine Shepard, Executive Director of 7B Care Clinic.

By late 2024, more than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned nationwide abortion rights, Idaho had lost a third of its OB-GYNs. 7B is looking to expand to provide obstetric care in Sandpoint, possibly collaborating with a hospital in Washington State to bring in an OB-GYN weekly.

“There’s such a need. And our community suffers because of it,” Shepard explained.

The growing influence of crisis pregnancy centers is evident as rural hospitals and delivery units shut down. Some states have enacted laws offering these centers greater protections and funding. Critics argue these nonprofit centers, which lack medical licensing and regulatory oversight, are unsuitable for patient care. Jen Jackson Quintano, of the Pro-Voice Project, stated that these centers mislead patients by offering free services before delivering an anti-abortion message.

Andrea Swartzendruber, a public health professor, noted that crisis pregnancy centers capitalize on healthcare access gaps but lack the capability to properly address them. As of 2024, over 2,600 crisis pregnancy centers operated in the U.S.

The Trump administration’s support has been noticeable, with the debut of a resource website for expectant mothers that includes information about pregnancy centers. This is significant in light of the strict abortion laws in conservative regions like Idaho.

Amelia Huntsberger, a former Sandpoint OB-GYN now in Oregon, acknowledged 7B’s role in resource provision but voiced concerns about its medical facility resemblance. Other professionals like Lori Sabin, a licensed midwife, emphasized 7B’s benefits, particularly for uninsured or low-income individuals.

Lisa Battisfore of Reproductive Transparency Now argued that while centers may offer useful resources, the negative aspects outweigh the positives. These centers remain largely unregulated, using First Amendment rights as protection against increased oversight.

Recent legal victories have allowed these centers to resist more stringent regulations, raising concerns about blurred lines between activism and medical care. For example, there have been instances where women received inadequate medical evaluations, causing complications later.

In response to community concern after its maternity unit closure, Bonner General Health created a women’s health committee to rebuild trust. The hospital continues to offer basic gynecological services and is actively looking for a permanent gynecologist.

Sandpoint resident Makayla Sundquist voiced concern over 7B’s suitability for pregnancy-related care due to its religious stance. She expressed a desire for more reliable local healthcare options.

KFF Health News specializes in detailed health issue journalism as part of KFF, a renowned source for health policy research and news.