As federal funding for Planned Parenthood is cut, critics argue that this will limit women’s choices and access to healthcare. However, the growing network of life-affirming clinics across the United States provides compelling evidence that women have countless local options for female healthcare and pregnancy support—even if Planned Parenthood were to cease operations entirely. These organizations offer free or low-cost services that empower women with alternatives to abortion while addressing their comprehensive healthcare needs.
Care Net: A Pro-Abundant Life Network
Founded in 1975, Care Net is one of the largest networks of pregnancy centers in North America, with over 1,200 affiliates and 30,000 volunteers. Care Net provides a wide range of services, including free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, material assistance (such as diapers and formula), parenting classes, and abortion recovery support.
Care Net also operates the Pregnancy Decision Line, a helpline offering immediate assistance to women considering abortion. Since 2008, Care Net has saved over one million babies from abortion and provided more than $96 million in free services annually. Their mission extends beyond saving lives—they work to ensure mothers and fathers experience “abundant life” through mentorship programs and church partnerships [8].
Heartbeat International: Global Support for Women
Heartbeat International oversees approximately 2,750 pregnancy help centers worldwide. These centers provide free pregnancy tests, consultations, ultrasounds, material resources like baby supplies, parenting education, and post-abortion recovery groups. Many locations also offer abortion pill reversal services under medical supervision [4].
Heartbeat International emphasizes compassionate care tailored to each woman’s unique circumstances. Their centers are staffed by licensed professionals and volunteers who provide ongoing support throughout pregnancy and parenting journeys [4].
ThriVe Express Women’s Healthcare
ThriVe serves over two million women annually with services valued at $270 million. Their offerings include ultrasounds, blood work, parenting classes, and other life-affirming care options. ThriVe’s “Parent University” equips women with skills and confidence for parenthood while fostering a supportive community. Additionally, ThriVe advocates for the rights of pregnancy resource centers through legal support from Americans United for Life [10].
Solidarity HealthShare: Comprehensive Women’s Healthcare
Solidarity HealthShare partners with hundreds of pro-life healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care for women struggling with infertility, postpartum depression, hormonal abnormalities, endometriosis, and more. Their services include nutritional counseling, natural family planning education, fertility treatments using NaPro Technology, and well-woman visits [3].
Solidarity focuses on holistic care that addresses physical health while empowering women through education and alternative treatments.
Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center
Living Alternatives offers free pregnancy tests administered by medical professionals, ultrasound exams to confirm viable pregnancies and gestational age, adoption support services, parenting education programs, and emotional support for pregnancy loss or post-abortion recovery [9]. They also provide resources tailored specifically for men to encourage their involvement in pregnancy decisions [9].
Mobile Clinics: Expanding Access Nationwide
To reach underserved communities, many organizations operate mobile medical units equipped with ultrasound technology. These clinics bring essential services directly to women in rural or urban areas where traditional healthcare facilities may be inaccessible. For example, Heartbeat International reports that 120 mobile units are actively serving communities across the U.S. [1].
Evidence Against Limited Choices Argument
The argument that cutting Planned Parenthood funding will restrict women’s healthcare options fails to account for the extensive network of life-affirming clinics already available nationwide. With over 2,750 pregnancy help centers and mobile units operating in virtually every community type—urban, suburban, rural—women have access to a diverse array of services beyond those provided by Planned Parenthood [1] [4] [7].
These clinics prioritize holistic care while offering alternatives to abortion. They provide free or low-cost services ranging from prenatal care to parenting education and material assistance—all without relying on federal funding.
Conclusion
Even if Planned Parenthood were no longer operational, women would continue to have abundant local choices for female healthcare through life-affirming clinics. Organizations like Care Net, Heartbeat International, Solidarity HealthShare, ThriVe Express Women’s Healthcare, and others are transforming the landscape of women’s health by providing compassionate support tailored to individual needs. These centers demonstrate that empowering women with alternatives can be achieved without compromising access or quality of care.
Citations:
[1] https://lozierinstitute.org/fact-sheet-pregnancy-centers-serving-women-and-saving-lives-2020/
[2] https://helpforpregnantwomen.org/pregnancyresourcecenters
[3] https://solidarityhealthshare.org/life-affirming-pro-womens-healthcare/
[4] https://www.heartbeatinternational.org/our-work/what-is-a-pregnancy-center
[5] https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/alternatives-to-abortion-pregnancy-resource-centers/
[7] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/abortion-clinics-crisis-pregnancy-centers-research-rcna179166
[8] https://care-net.org/about/
[9] https://www.pregnancyresourcecenter.org/services/
[10] https://aul.org/2025/02/07/will-you-help-us-keep-pregnancy-centers-open/