Crisis Pregnancy Centers Accused of Misleading Ectopic Pregnancy Claims

The Trump administration’s 2024 launch of Moms.gov directs expecting parents to crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) that “offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD/STI testing and treatment, parenting support, childbirth classes, medical referrals, and material goods.” Many CPCs advertise free ultrasounds as a means to “rule out” ectopic pregnancies, despite medical consensus that a single ultrasound cannot reliably diagnose such complications. The Campaign for Accountability has identified 100 instances of this language across 49 states, including three South Dakota centers—Zoecare (Wagner), Haven Center (Watertown), and Bella (Spearfish).

NPRThree South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

CPCs, largely Christian-affiliated, aim to discourage abortions. The Moms.gov portal, launched on Mother’s Day, lists these centers as resources for “unexpected pregnancies.” Since the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, medication abortion use has risen sharply, prompting some CPCs to link ultrasound services to abortion-pill safety, even though medical experts note that such ultrasounds are not medically required for medication abortions.

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• Campaign for Accountability – nonprofit watchdog that sent a letter to New York Attorney General Leticia James requesting investigation.

Three South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

• Michelle Kuppersmith – Executive Director, Campaign for Accountability.

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• National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) – Membership organization for CPCs; Anne O’Connor serves as Vice President of Legal Affairs.

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• Dr. Jonas Swartz – Professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Duke Health, who has researched CPC practices.

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• MyChoice Pregnancy Care Center – New York CPC whose website explicitly advises “If you plan on taking abortion pills, book an ultrasound to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.”

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• Approximately 2,500 CPCs operate nationwide (GAO 2024 estimate).

Three South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

• 100 documented website examples in 49 states claim the ability to “rule out” ectopic pregnancies.

Three South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

• The three South Dakota CPCs are among the identified sites using this language.

Three South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

• Cases cited from Texas and Massachusetts illustrate women who were told their pregnancies were viable, later presenting to hospitals with undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies.

Three South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

Campaign for Accountability’s letter argues that CPCs “lead patients to believe that their services are adequate substitutes for medical diagnoses,” potentially causing women to forgo comprehensive care. NIFLA’s legal counsel, Anne O’Connor, advised CPCs to avoid claiming they can rule out ectopic pregnancies, noting that accurate diagnosis requires multiple blood tests and ultrasounds—services CPCs cannot provide. Dr. Swartz emphasized that medication abortion is safe without an ultrasound and that an ectopic pregnancy would not be resolved by abortion pills but would require medical or surgical treatment.

NPRThree South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

The watchdog organization contends that the misleading language poses a real risk of “grievous bodily injury.” It plans to send additional letters to other state attorneys general, seeking broader enforcement. The organization’s executive director expressed hope that heightened exposure will compel CPCs to cease unsupported claims.

Three South Dakota CPCs Falsely Advertise Ultrasound Services to Rule Out Ectopic Pregnancy

• “By leading patients to believe that their services are adequate substitutes for medical diagnoses, [crisis pregnancy centers] may cause women to forgo comprehensive medical care, resulting in their suffering grievous bodily injury,” — Campaign for Accountability (letter)

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• “And then later they found themselves in the hospital with an ectopic pregnancy that was not diagnosed by the crisis pregnancy center.” — Michelle Kuppersmith, Executive Director, Campaign for Accountability

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• “Do not advertise, 'We can rule out an ectopic,'” — Anne O’Connor, Vice President of Legal Affairs, NIFLA

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• “Telemedicine abortion with medication abortion has been shown to be safe even without ultrasound,” — Dr. Jonas Swartz, Duke Health

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• “If you plan on taking abortion pills, book an ultrasound to rule out an ectopic pregnancy,” — MyChoice Pregnancy Care Center website

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Sources uniformly report that a single ultrasound cannot diagnose ectopic pregnancy; no contradictory medical statements appear. However, the extent of actual patient harm beyond the cited Texas and Massachusetts cases remains undocumented, and CPCs have not provided outcome data for women who followed their guidance.

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Following the New York letter, Campaign for Accountability intends to contact additional state attorneys general. State investigations could assess whether CPC advertising violates consumer-protection or medical-fraud statutes, potentially leading to regulatory actions or mandated disclosures.

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