For Immediate Release
June 26, 2018

Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 333
zeisenstein@siecus.org

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States voted 5-4 in favor of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) in the case of NIFLA v. Becerra. The decision reverses a California act requiring CPCs to provide specific information—including about the option of abortion—to patients, determining it is a likely violation of the First Amendment.

Chitra Panjabi, SIECUS President & CEO, released the following statement in response:

“With today’s ruling, our country’s highest court has clearly stated that lying to patients is an acceptable health care practice. When a patient goes to a provider, they deserve to receive a complete and exhaustive understanding of their options. Period.

Allowing unlicensed fake clinics to blatantly lie about reproductive health care options is another clear example of wide-reaching decisions being made in the name of a singular, conservative ideology.

As we observe these same CPCs implement harmful and misleading abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in schools across the country, we fear for the further harm these deceptive organizations might inflict on our nation’s youth.

If CPCs continue to be empowered by our highest forms of government, people’s rights will continue to erode. Everyone has the right to accurate information and education about their sexual and reproductive health—and that includes abortion.

Coupled with the racist upholding of the Administration’s Muslim Ban, today marks a truly disgraceful day in the history of our courts.”

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The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) has served as the national voice for sex education, sexual health, and sexual rights for over 50 years. SIECUS asserts that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. We advocate for the rights of all people to accurate information, comprehensive sexuality education, and the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services. SIECUS works to create a world that ensures social justice inclusive of sexual and reproductive rights.