What Is Real Alternatives?
Real Alternatives runs Pennsylvania’s state-funded anti-abortion center program called “Alternatives to Abortion.”
Each year, the Department of Human Services budget allocates millions of dollars to Real Alternatives to perform the government function of distributing grants to anti-abortion centers around the state.
Since 2012, Real Alternatives has received more than $50 million dollars in state funding. In February 2021, it was awarded another $7,263,000 dollars ($6,263,000 in state funding and $1,000,000 in TANF dollars).
Anti-abortion centers are known for deceptive practices, such as presenting themselves to look like clinics that provide abortion services, as well as giving false and misleading information about birth control and abortion.
Real Alternatives, and anti-abortion centers, are not licensed medical centers. Even though they collect sensitive medical and sexual health information, they are not required to follow medical privacy laws. People’s health, sexual, and medical history should always remain highly confidential.
Real Alternatives got its start in Pennsylvania — but also set up programs in other states. It still runs a program in Indiana. In 2019, Michigan defunded Real Alternatives after the state found it was not fulfilling its contract.
Real Alternatives has also consulted on so-called “alternatives to abortion” programs in 17 states where it doesn’t directly provide services, including Florida, Texas, and Ohio.