Rep. Kelly Skidmore is again trying to rein in Florida’s taxpayer-funded anti-abortion pregnancy centers, this time by ending the program that finances them.
Skidmore, a Boca Raton Democrat, filed legislation (HB 6001[1]) this month that would repeal Section 381.96 of Florida Statutes[2], ending the state’s Pregnancy Support and Wellness Services program that distributes about $29 million annually through the long-running Florida Pregnancy Care Network (FPCN[3]).
She argues the center, often called crisis pregnancy centers, are actually “faux medical clinics” that consume public dollars while offering limited, non-medical services aimed at steering women away from abortion.
The bill, which pends a Senate analog, is Skidmore’s boldest attempt yet to dismantle the program, which has existed for decades. It also comes as after mounting evidence that the crisis pregnancy centers lack the medical oversight and licensing of traditional providers.
“Taxpayer dollars must not be used to prop up centers that operate like clinics in name only, with guidance that discourages appropriate medical evaluation,” Skidmore said in a statement.
Her concerns aren’t unfounded. Recordings obtained this year by NBC News[4] revealed that the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, a legal support group for many anti-abortion centers, instructed affiliates not to perform ultrasounds for suspected ectopic pregnancies, labeling them a major liability risk.
A lawsuit[5] filed in June 2023 and settled a year later[6], with the crisis pregnancy center avoiding any admission of guilt, alleged that a Massachusetts clinic engaged in deceptive advertising to persuade women to eschew abortions rather than provide them “the range of medically appropriate options.”
The plaintiff said a nurse who performed her ultrasound failed to ensure the pregnancy was viable, leading to an internal rupture a month later that caused “massive internal bleeding and necessitating emergency surgery.”
Florida’s program has a complicated political history. Launched in 2005[7] under then-Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, the FPCN ballooned from $4 million in 2022 to nearly $30 million by 2023, just as GOP lawmakers pushed through the state’s six-week abortion ban[8].
The FPCN now oversees more than 145 locations across the state[9], according to an Expose Fake Clinics tracker. Many are run by faith-based nonprofits.
Supporters say the centers provide counseling, parenting education and referrals. Critics contend they masquerade as medical clinics, present biased information and skirt accountability.
HB 6001 marks Skidmore’s third attempt at upending the program after carrying legislation in 2024[10] and 2025[11] aimed at tightening oversight of FPCN contractors by mandating unannounced inspections, annual audits and medically accurate patient materials.
Those measures and their Senate counterparts by former Davie Sen. Lauren Book and Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith — both Democrats — all died unheard.
Skidmore’s latest strategy is an outright repeal.
“Florida families deserve medical care that is comprehensive, transparent, and delivered by licensed professionals,” she said, adding that HB 6001 would allow the redirection of state dollars to “evidence-based healthcare programs that provide a full range of reproductive care, including prenatal, postnatal, and family planning services.”
She isn’t alone in calling for a massive appropriation change.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, in his proposed 2025-26 budget[12], sought a repeal of the same state statute, which he asked to be replaced with a competitively awarded program under Florida’s Department of Health.
Notably, the request came after the FPCN spent $5 million[13] on an advertising campaign that coincided with an effort by DeSantis’ administration to defeat a ballot measure[14] aimed at codifying the right to abortion access in the Florida Constitution.
The Governor ultimately signed a budget in June that continued the $29.5 million earmark, which his Office said will “provide pregnancy support for mothers and families.”
If passed, HB 6001 would take effect July 1, 2026.
Post Views: 0
References
- ^ HB 6001 (www.flhouse.gov)
- ^ Section 381.96 of Florida Statutes (www.leg.state.fl.us)
- ^ FPCN (myfpcn.com)
- ^ NBC News (www.nbcnews.com)
- ^ lawsuit (www.nbcnews.com)
- ^ settled a year later (www.nbcboston.com)
- ^ Launched in 2005 (floridareprofreedom.org)
- ^ six-week abortion ban (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ more than 145 locations across the state (www.exposefakeclinics.com)
- ^ 2024 (www.flhouse.gov)
- ^ 2025 (www.flhouse.gov)
- ^ proposed 2025-26 budget (www.focusonfiscalresponsibility.com)
- ^ FPCN spent $5 million (jasongarcia.substack.com)
- ^ defeat a ballot measure (floridapolitics.com)