Because accurate and timely information from legitimate health care providers is essential for making the best choices for ourselves and our families, we have become increasingly concerned about the 11 so-called “Women’s Centers, Women Resource Centers, or Crisis Pregnancy Centers” that operate throughout Maine, including First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in Waterville and Open Arms Pregnancy Center in Augusta.

These centers advertise as places where women can go at no cost to confirm pregnancies and examine “all their options,” while their primary objective is to convince women to avoid abortions. Not regulated by HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), they can share personal information with others.

Unexpected pregnancy can present a crisis, and individuals need and deserve accurate, unbiased information about all the options including abortion. We must make a clear distinction between licensed reproductive health clinics — like Mabel Wadsworth, Maine Family Planning, and Planned Parenthood — and these “fake clinics” that seek to advance their anti-abortion, manipulative agenda.

Signed, Central Maine Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights (GRR!)

Elayne Richard, Fairfield

Shannon King, Benton

Karen Kusiak, Fairfield

Kathy McKay, Benton

Chris Rusnov, Winslow

Kathleen Wescott, LMFT, Winslow