Watchdog Organization Calls for Investigation into Texas Crisis Pregnancy Centers
A watchdog organization is urging the Texas attorney general to investigate crisis pregnancy centers over concerns they may be misrepresenting the privacy of sensitive client information. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is concerned that crisis pregnancy centers may be deceiving individuals who are seeking confidential care, and that the centers may not have enforceable guidelines for handling client information.
Background
Crisis pregnancy centers are operated by religious and anti-abortion organizations, and they aim to dissuade pregnant women from having an abortion and instead offer alternative options such as parenting classes and adoption information. While some centers also offer prenatal care, including ultrasounds, they are not medical facilities and do not have the same data protection guidelines as healthcare providers.
Concerns about Data Privacy
The EFF is concerned that crisis pregnancy centers may be misrepresenting their compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which regulates the privacy of health information. While HIPAA applies to healthcare providers, it does not apply to crisis pregnancy centers. The EFF worries that these centers may be advertising or implying that they are covered by HIPAA, when in fact they are not.
Investigation
The EFF has sent letters to the attorneys general in Texas, Arkansas, Florida, and Missouri, urging them to investigate the situation and protect residents. The organization chose these states because they are known to have taxpayer-funded crisis pregnancy centers. In Texas, for example, the state has allocated $140 million to its Thriving Texas Families program, which includes funding for crisis pregnancy centers.
Concerns about Taxpayer Dollars
The EFF is also concerned that taxpayer dollars are being used to fund crisis pregnancy centers that may not be transparent about their data handling practices. "We respectfully urge your office to investigate whether CPCs in Texas are violating Texas privacy and consumer protection laws by deceiving Texans as to how their private information will be retained and used," wrote Corynne McSherry, the legal director for the EFF, in a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Response from Attorney General’s Office
Paxton’s office did not respond to requests for comment from The Dallas Morning News.
Case Study: Louisiana
A recent case in Louisiana highlights the concerns about data privacy at crisis pregnancy centers. A center in Louisiana posted online the names and personal information of 13 clients, prompting a watchdog group, Campaign for Accountability, to urge the state’s attorney general to investigate. The case demonstrates that the concerns about data privacy are not just hypothetical, said Michael Clauw, the communications manager at Campaign for Accountability.
Conclusion
The EFF is calling on the attorneys general in Texas and other states to investigate crisis pregnancy centers and ensure that they are not misrepresenting their data handling practices. The organization hopes that the attorneys general will heed the call for action and take steps to protect the privacy of individuals who are seeking confidential care.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of crisis pregnancy centers?
A: Crisis pregnancy centers aim to dissuade pregnant women from having an abortion and instead offer alternative options such as parenting classes and adoption information.
Q: Are crisis pregnancy centers medical facilities?
A: No, crisis pregnancy centers are not medical facilities and do not have the same data protection guidelines as healthcare providers.
Q: Who operates crisis pregnancy centers?
A: Crisis pregnancy centers are often operated by religious and anti-abortion organizations.
Q: What is the concern about data privacy?
A: The concern is that crisis pregnancy centers may be misrepresenting their compliance with HIPAA, and that they may not have enforceable guidelines for handling client information.
