The discovery of a pregnancy can lead to an emotional rollercoaster for those experiencing it, ranging from joy to distress. At this stage, many people consider sharing this information with a medical provider or counselor as they explore their options. For some, the most natural option is to turn to their trusted obstetrician or a Planned Parenthood clinic. Others, however, choose to go to a Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC).
However, the situation is complicated because some of these centers do not prioritize the privacy of their users. CPCs, which are often associated with anti-abortion religious organizations, offer services such as pregnancy tests and counseling, but do not provide reproductive health assistance, such as abortion or contraception. While some may operate legally, many others do not. In 2022, it was estimated that these centers generated revenues close to $1.4 billion, with funding coming from federal and state sources.
The Campaign for Accountability filed complaints with attorneys general in several states, including Idaho, Minnesota, Washington, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, requesting investigations into the possible misrepresentation that CPCs make regarding the protection of their clients’ information, wrongly suggesting that they are covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
A situation in Louisiana raised privacy concerns after the accidental leak of names and personal information in a training video. This lack of protection is not limited to a single state; in Missouri, for example, a pregnancy help center claims to adhere to HIPAA privacy practices, which may not be true in practice.
The lack of adequate protections extends to states like Florida, Texas, and Arkansas, where misleading claims are made about safeguarding personal information. In a context where there are no comprehensive federal laws addressing privacy effectively, it is essential for state attorneys general to act to protect their communities from deceptive practices.
Beyond opinions on reproductive health, there is a growing consensus on the right to privacy as an essential human right. Consumers have the right to transparency, and it is the responsibility of authorities to ensure that their confidential information, particularly sensitive medical data, is properly protected.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
