Why It Matters
Across Indiana and dozens of other states, crisis pregnancy centers operate medical equipment and provide diagnostic services without state healthcare licensing, regular inspections, or standardized accountability mechanisms. The absence of regulatory oversight raises questions about patient safety and the use of taxpayer funds at facilities providing medical-level care.
What Happened
A review of crisis pregnancy centers in Louisiana found that all facilities examined offered ultrasounds and other medical services, yet none held state healthcare facility licenses. The centers operated independently, each with its own board and internal policies, and were not subject to regular licensing inspections or credentialing requirements for their providers.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office examined a dozen pregnancy centers and found nearly $1.2 million in taxpayer spending, but concluded that state authorities could not determine how those funds were used. The audit revealed that Louisiana law existed to govern such facilities, but the state had failed to establish a process to track and verify the use of public dollars.
“They were providing medical services, and no, they were not licensed by our Department of Health,” said Gina Brown, the audit manager for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office.
The pattern extends far beyond Louisiana. At least 100 pregnancy centers across 49 states advertise that free ultrasounds can rule out ectopic pregnancies—a serious medical condition requiring emergency treatment. Yet most of these centers lack the capacity to perform the multiple blood tests and repeated ultrasounds necessary to definitively rule out an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially fatal condition.
One registered diagnostic medical sonographer involved in the movement expressed concern about the procedures being performed. “I kind of wanted to get out of this whole movement, because I’ve seen more than I want to see now,” the sonographer said.
The use of transvaginal ultrasound—a procedure that involves inserting a wand-like transducer internally—has drawn particular attention because it is identified as a sensitive procedure for sexual assault survivors. Centers offering these services typically lack the medical infrastructure and trained staff present in licensed healthcare facilities.
By the Numbers
Nearly $1.2 million — audited spending by crisis pregnancy centers in Louisiana with unverified use
Dozen — number of Louisiana pregnancy centers reviewed in the audit
At least 100 — pregnancy centers advertising ectopic pregnancy ruling capability across the country
49 states — number with pregnancy centers making ectopic pregnancy claims
Hundreds of millions — total taxpayer dollars received by anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers in recent years
Zoom Out
Crisis pregnancy centers have received hundreds of millions in taxpayer funding in recent years as states and the federal government have directed resources toward alternatives to abortion services. Most states currently lack credentialing or disclosure requirements for pregnancy centers, creating a patchwork of regulatory oversight that varies widely by jurisdiction.
The centers typically operate as independent nonprofits with voluntary accreditation options through third-party organizations. Some centers choose to join accreditation bodies subject to external audits, but participation remains optional rather than mandatory.
The regulatory gap reflects a broader tension between expanding state funding for crisis pregnancy centers and the absence of standardized safety and accountability mechanisms to govern their operations.
What’s Next
The findings in Louisiana point to potential legislative action in Indiana and other states to establish clearer licensing, inspection, and financial accountability standards for crisis pregnancy centers offering medical services. Whether states move to strengthen oversight—or expand funding without additional regulatory requirements—remains an open question as lawmakers balance expansion of pregnancy support services with public accountability.