The Shapiro Administration announced it would end Pennsylvania’s 30-year contractual relationship with Real Alternatives. Presently, 83 centers throughout the Commonwealth provide compassionate support services to 13,500 women a year, from the moment they find out they are pregnant through 12 months after the birth of the baby. This program has served close to 350,000 women through 1.9 million office visits over the past 30 years in Pennsylvania.  Real Alternatives has hundreds of counselors throughout the state who do not provide health services; they do refer clients to health services. 

Based on calculations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the program last year benefited the Commonwealth with $140 million in health cost savings because their clients’ children’s immunizations were up to date. Additionally, $247 million in health costs were saved because their clients received proper prenatal care. Other savings are involved. Sixty percent of abortions are chosen by women under high pressure to abort. Those same women experience high levels of subsequent mental health and quality of life issues. 

Planned Parenthood’s mission is not geared to help these women. (See Charlotte Lozier Institute website for PP’s “Fact Sheet: Planned Parenthood’s 2021-2022 Annual Report” and “Whose Choice? Pressure to Abort Linked to Worsening of Subsequent Mental Health.”) In centers funded by Real Alternatives, 84% of women who have been pressured to abort choose to bring their baby to term. Real Alternatives helped them make a choice without the financial pressures, and with new emotional support in place. 

Although the Shapiro Administration ended the Real Alternatives contract, the legislature must still pass “code bills” which decide where to spend approximately $1 billion dollars. (Search “PA Catholic Conference Voter Voice Real Alternatives.”) Contact your Pennsylvania state legislators today. 

Betsy Puntel

Whitemarsh