State Funding for Real Alternatives Anti-Abortion Centers in Pennsylvania Terminated by Shapiro

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Thursday that the state would terminate its contract with Real Alternatives, an organization that supports anti-abortion centers across the state. The contract will end on December 31, 2023. Real Alternatives has been receiving state funding for the past 30 years to partner with anti-abortion centers and dissuade pregnant individuals from seeking abortion care. However, Governor Shapiro, a Democrat who campaigned on reproductive rights, stated that his administration will not continue to fund the organization. He emphasized the need to ensure that women in Pennsylvania receive the reproductive healthcare they deserve.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), the agency responsible for overseeing the contract with Real Alternatives, has been allocating general funds to the organization since the mid-1990s. State records show that Real Alternatives received over $30 million in public funding between 2012 and 2017. DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh emphasized the department’s commitment to ensuring that contractors and partners align with the state’s values and properly utilize taxpayer resources.

Pennsylvania’s decision to eliminate state funding for Real Alternatives follows years of controversy surrounding the organization. Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale raised concerns about taxpayer dollars being funneled to out-of-state operations in Michigan and Indiana, as well as concerns over patient privacy. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer defunded Real Alternatives in 2019, citing misuse of taxpayer dollars. However, Indiana continues to allocate state funding to the organization despite questions surrounding its spending practices.

Supporters of reproductive rights praised Governor Shapiro’s decision to terminate funding for Real Alternatives. Planned Parenthood PA Advocates Executive Director Signe Espinoza called it an “enormous win” and emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom and privacy in making healthcare decisions. Tara Murtha, director of strategic communications for the Women’s Law Project, expressed gratitude to the Shapiro administration for taking bold action and pushing Pennsylvania on the right side of history.

Equity Forward, a reproductive rights watchdog group, engaged in a five-year legal battle to obtain financial records from Real Alternatives. The group argued that the public had a right to know how taxpayer dollars were being spent. In July 2022, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of Real Alternatives, stating that it did not have to disclose certain agreements to public scrutiny. Equity Forward applauded the Shapiro administration’s decision to cancel the contract, emphasizing the need to prioritize real healthcare and accurate information for individuals in need.

State lawmakers also expressed support for the termination of funding for Real Alternatives. Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, a former reproductive justice advocate, praised the move on Twitter, highlighting the years of advocacy for reproductive justice that led to this decision. Real Alternatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.

With the contract set to expire at the end of 2023, the DHS plans to issue a Request for Applications (RFA) to seek applicants for women’s health service programs as allocated in the 2023-24 budget. This move signifies a shift in Pennsylvania’s approach to reproductive healthcare and a commitment to ensuring that women have access to comprehensive and accurate information.

Original Story at www.penncapital-star.com – 2023-08-04 17:05:52