Conservative Lawmakers Push CARE Act to Shield Crisis Pregnancy Centers as Abortion Access Contracts Globally

Republican-led states push the CARE Act to shield crisis pregnancy centers from abortion referral mandates as traditional clinic numbers continue to decline.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 7:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KFF Health News

Legislative Architecture of the CARE Act

The Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression (CARE) Act represents a strategic effort by conservative advocacy groups to codify legal protections for crisis pregnancy centers. Recently passed in Wyoming and advancing in Kansas and Oklahoma, the legislation prohibits state and local governments from requiring these centers to perform abortions, provide referrals for the procedure, or even inform patients about available contraception. Crucially, the act grants these organizations the right to sue government entities that attempt to impose such transparency or medical disclosure requirements.

The Rise of Model Legislation in Post-Roe America

The CARE Act is "model legislation" drafted by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the same conservative legal group instrumental in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. By providing a pre-drafted legal framework, the ADF has enabled a rapid, multi-state rollout of protections that frame crisis pregnancy centers as essential "speech and conscience" entities. Supporters argue these protections are necessary following "unprecedented attacks" on religious organizations, while critics contend the laws allow centers to bypass the rigorous standards and patient-privacy protections mandated for licensed medical facilities.

Shifting the Burden of Maternal Healthcare

As abortion clinics continue to close—partially due to federal cuts to Medicaid payments for providers—Republicans are increasingly pointing toward CPCs as a solution for "maternity deserts." In 2024, approximately 2,500 crisis pregnancy centers were operational nationwide, significantly outnumbering the 753 remaining abortion-providing clinics. However, legal experts like Mary Ziegler note that this strategy "outsources" public health responsibilities to unregulated counseling centers, potentially leaving vulnerable patients at risk of receiving incomplete or medically inaccurate reproductive health information.