Texas faith-based pregnancy centers to offer contraceptives

AUSTIN, Texas -  A network of Christian pregnancy centers in Texas will be offering contraceptive options next year, according to the Associated Press. 

This unprecedented move by eight Christian pregnancy centers was taken in a means to compete for federal funding forfeited by Planned Parenthood.

The Associated Press reports that Planned Parenthood gave up roughly $60 million when it left a federal family planning program in opposition to a new Trump administration rule prohibiting abortion referrals. The family-planning program serves about 4 million women annually, costing U.S. taxpayers about $260 million.

Faith-based pregnancy centers that are opposed to abortions typically do not provide birth control and instead advocate abstinence before marriage. 

Chief Executive for The Source, Andy Schoonover says that the organization is now focusing on reducing unplanned pregnancies, marking a turning point for faith-based pregnancy centers.