It’s both perplexing and disappointing that our Sen. Haugen would sponsor a bill (SB 5274) that burdens Pregnancy Care Clinics with regulations requiring them to post or advertise in six different languages services they do NOT provide!

This is akin to requiring food services to advertise that they do not use organic ingredients. Additionally SB 5274 opens wide the door for any perceived “aggrieved” person to sue a PCC. Whether intentional or not, this arduous bill would result in closing struggling PCCs across the state. Pregnancy Care Centers and clinics are community based and supported by individuals, churches, businesses, organizations and volunteers. They receive no government dollars and all services that PCCs provide are free. Those free services include food, diapers, clothing, formula, cribs, car seats, parenting classes, Bible studies, pregnancy tests, and ultra-sound exams administered by licensed medical professionals. All this happens in a caring atmosphere, where confidentiality and integrity are foundational. Pregnancy Care Clinics do not refer for abortion, and that, apparently, is the sticking point.

Why, with our state experiencing a severe budget crisis, plus transportation challenges, tax issues, etc., would Sen. Haugen make such onerous legislation a priority? Was her campaign supported by the largest abortion industry, Planned Parenthood? I’m only left with speculation. Whatever the impetus for Sen. Haugen’s sponsoring of SB 5274 it is counter productive and ultimately will have a negative effect on our community. 

Lesley Robbins
Oak Harbor