A recent study is challenging the notion that organizations like Planned Parenthood are the dominant players in women’s health care.
A new analysis by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, which supports pro-life perspectives, indicates that community health centers actually outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities by a significant margin—about 15 times more.
The findings reveal there are around 8,810 community health centers compared to just 579 Planned Parenthood clinics across the United States and the District of Columbia.
“With research showing that nearly 70% of women who had abortions described them as unwanted or misaligned with their values, it’s clear many women are looking for better options,” stated Tessa Cox, a lead researcher involved in the study. She added:
Community health centers provide those alternatives, offering care in underserved regions and addressing critical healthcare needs. Women deserve comprehensive care from providers who focus on genuine health services, not just abortion.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., referenced this new study during a speech at a gala for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
“I’m grateful that SBA and the Charlotte Lozier Institute have played such a crucial role in highlighting these important centers, which deliver comprehensive care to those in need. They outnumber major abortion providers 15 to 1, which is certainly something to celebrate,” Johnson remarked.
Cox elaborated to The Daily Signal that the study surfaces as discussions unfold in Congress regarding the potential defunding of Planned Parenthood, which received about $700 million in federal funding in 2024.
“We aimed to provide estimates of community health centers across the country offering women’s health services, and then compare them to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider, to better inform people about their care options,” she explained.
She expressed her expectation of a notable difference between the two but admitted to being surprised by the sheer scale of the disparity.
“I was aware there would be many federally qualified health centers and rural clinics, but I didn’t expect the gap to be this large,” she noted.
The community health centers profiled in the study are federally funded institutions.
“Federally qualified health centers receive federal grants or are certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, while rural health clinics qualify for special Medicare reimbursement for serving rural areas,” she clarified.
Cox emphasized that these clinics cater to a variety of needs within communities.
“They encompass a wide spectrum of services, everything from family medicine and behavioral health to pediatrics and dental care,” she stated.
In this study, the Charlotte Lozier Institute focused on clinics that specifically provided women’s services, alongside other offerings for men and children.
“We reviewed all their websites, made numerous phone calls, and compiled data to estimate how many provide care for women, including family planning and prenatal care,” Cox detailed.
She also mentioned that the figure of 8,810 community health centers doesn’t account for other important pro-life services.
“This number excludes countless pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide—around 3,000—along with general practitioners accepting Medicaid who might not be certified as federally qualified centers,” she concluded.
Despite the promising numbers, Cox highlighted that enhancing healthcare options for expectant mothers remains a priority.
“There’s always a demand for more pregnancy centers to ensure health services are accessible for moms, babies, and families when they need them,” she added.
