Anti-abortion Coalition Awarded $1 Million Grant For Pregnancy Support Centers

A coalition that supports anti-abortion pregnancy centers has been awarded a $1 million grant from the state. The money will be distributed to organizations that discourage women from ending their pregnancies. 

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources selected the West Virginia Pregnancy Center Coalition to manage the new West Virginia Mothers and Babies Support Program.

The program was conceived by the GOP-dominated state legislature following passage of the state’s near-total ban on abortion last year. When the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion in 2022, West Virginia was one of several states to approve millions in taxpayer funding for anti-abortion centers.

Commonly referred to as pregnancy resources, or crisis pregnancy centers, the facilities do not provide medical services such as pre- or post-natal care for uninsured women. 

West Virginia State Health Officer Dr. Matthew Christiansen said the program will provide pregnancy support in the form of “medical care, parenting and life-skills education, financial assistance, baby supplies and other material assistance.”

The coalition by law must establish qualification requirements for organizations to be considered eligible to receive funding. Organizations must be nonprofits that provide training and annual evaluations for employees and volunteers and maintain policies for reporting child abuse, medical emergencies and client complaints.

Anti-abortion pregnancy centers, maternity homes, adoption agencies and “life-affirming social service organizations” are eligible to apply for money.

Organizations that “perform, prescribe, refer for, advocate for, or encourage abortion” or are affiliated with such organizations, are prohibited from receiving the grant money which is funded by taxpayers.