[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E679-E680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF STOP DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING FOR WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE 
                                SERVICES

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to 
reintroduce the Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Healthcare 
Services Act to make sure that women receive honest information about 
family planning services.
  Expecting mothers should never be misled about critical health 
information and services. Yet that is exactly what is happening today 
all across the country. Commonly called crisis pregnancy centers 
(CPCs), these centers often have an anti-choice agenda and deliberately 
misinform or mislead pregnant women seeking information about family 
planning services, including abortion. CPC's masquerade as sources of 
unbiased pregnancy counseling or even abortion providers, yet they 
often have no medical professionals on staff. CPC's use deceptive 
propaganda to dissuade women from considering comprehensive birth 
control options or legal abortion. These fake reproductive health 
clinics entice women with unintended pregnancies through their doors 
under the pretense of providing the full range of reproductive options 
and services. Instead, they pedal scientifically unfounded information 
claiming that abortion leads to adverse health outcomes or can affect 
chances of pregnancy in the future. CPCs should be held accountable if 
they deliberately mislead women who are seeking legitimate medical 
assistance and advice.

[[Page E680]]

  The Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Healthcare Services Act 
directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate rules under the 
Federal Trade Commission Act, declaring it an unfair or deceptive act 
for an entity, such as a crisis pregnancy center, to advertise as a 
provider of abortion services if the entity does not provide abortion 
services.
  I thank my friend Rep. Suzanne Bonamici for leading this critical 
effort with me. During National Women's Health Week, I hope you will 
join us in cosponsoring this legislation that demands that crisis 
pregnancy centers, some of which receive federal funds, are prohibited 
from making false advertising claims that intimidate and harm women who 
are looking for help and honest medical advice.

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