Billion Dollar Baby Bump

What this episode covers

Since the 2022 Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, state governments decide how they’ll regulate abortion. This includes which organizations receive reproductive health funding.  Crisis pregnancy centers, religiously affiliated organizations that advertise free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds but dissuade women from pursuing abortions, are seeing an influx of taxpayer dollars. At the same time, officials are pulling funding from Planned Parenthood and other health clinics across the country. States Newsroom conducted a 50-state investigation examining state and federal budgets, as well as the tax records of hundreds of crisis pregnancy centers around the country.  In Episode 18, you’ll hear from States Newsroom reproductive rights reporter Sofia Resnick, who will break down how this is playing out and how public money is being spent.  You’ll also hear from Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an OB-GYN based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Since 2013, Lyerly has worked in rural Minnesota, Arizona and a Wisconsin Planned Parenthood clinic. She’ll share her firsthand experiences at the center of the fight over abortion access. Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.  Click here for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  Taxpayer dollars flood pregnancy centers. Oversight hasn't followed. (States Newsroom) Arguing an abortion procedure is unlawfully barbaric worked once. Will it work again? (States Newsroom) ‘We’re not done’: Missouri GOP pushes penalties, fetal personhood in renewed abortion fight (Missouri Independent) Appeals court strikes down Ohio law requiring burial of abortion remains (Ohio Capital Journal) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected] Photo: Crisis pregnancy centers have been the beneficiary of at least a half-billion dollars since the U.S. Supreme Court ended federal abortion protections in June 2022, a States Newsroom investigation found. The centers discourage women from seeking abortion and contraception, which medical experts say compromises public health. (Illustration by David Jack Browning for States Newsroom)