Anti-Abortion Groups Say Ellison, Not Pregnancy Centers, Is Misleading

MINNEAPOLIS — Anti-abortion activists are pushing back after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a "consumer alert" that warned residents against visiting crisis pregnancy centers.

Last week, Ellison released a statement saying that these types of centers have "limited services" and have a "potentially deceptive nature."

"Many crisis pregnancy centers claim to offer comprehensive healthcare, but their purpose is to prevent pregnant people from accessing that right — which sometimes they accomplish by misleading, misinforming, or deceiving people," Ellison said.

"I want to alert Minnesotans that crisis pregnancy centers often do not offer the services they claim to offer, and that the information about abortion and contraception they offer may be inaccurate or misleading."

Crisis pregnancy centers are eligible for public funding in Minnesota under the state's "Positive Alternatives" law. And anti-abortion groups say Ellison's warning will only hurt women who are in need of care.

Advocates for the centers say they provide crucial services to their communities, including childcare, medical care, parenting classes, free clothes and diapers, assistance with the adoption process, and educational support.

"Keith Ellison is acting like an advocate for the abortion industry, not for Minnesota women. Pregnancy care centers provide practical help and alternatives to abortion so that women don't feel like abortion is the only option," Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life told Patch in a statement.

Ellison's office cited a recent report from the abortion rights group "Alliance" that found that crisis pregnancy centers outnumber abortion clinics in Minnesota by an 11:1 ratio and that nearly two-thirds of Minnesota CPCs make false or biased medical claims about abortions.

"Relying on a 'report' produced by abortion advocacy groups, the attorney general is targeting these compassionate centers with misleading criticism while showing absolutely no concern about Minnesota's abortion facilities, which are not licensed or inspected by the state," MCCL continued.

"Ellison's pro-abortion bias is on full display."

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Positive Alternatives grants "provide funds to non-profit organizations promoting healthy pregnancy outcomes and assisting pregnant and parenting women in developing and maintaining family stability and self-sufficiency."

In 2021, $3,357,000 in grants were awarded for a five-year period, the department said.

"Pregnant and parenting women who appreciate free services and support may find the current announcement puzzling, as most people understand that help is what young families sometimes need," said Kristi Hamrick, a spokesperson for the national anti-abortion group, Students for Life Action.

"If Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison wants to prioritize death by abortion, that's his choice. But those women who want no-cost assistance may find these so-called 'warnings' hard to follow."

The Alliance study, which was co-authored by pro-abortion rights group Gender Justice, found 90 crisis pregnancy centers in Minnesota in 2021.