Indiana awards $3.5 million to pro-life pregnancy program

Real Alternatives, a pro-life pregnancy counseling nonprofit based in Pennsylvania, will receive $3.5 million from the Indiana Department of Health, following a $1 million contract for a pilot program last October.

“Today’s announcement marks an important step for the health of Hoosier women and families in Indiana,” Republican Governor Mike Pence said, “and this additional funding will ensure important organizations across our state can continue supporting those in need.”

Real Alternatives helps local pregnancy care providers offer women pregnancy support counseling, free pregnancy self-test kits, food, clothing, shelter, pregnancy and parenting classes, community aid and medical referrals, abstinence education, adoption information, career guidance, and more. The organization opposes abortion and contraception.

Abortion supporters are criticizing the move, with Planned Parenthood of Indiana & Kentucky communications director Beth Headrick lamenting, “In an ideal world, the governor would first focus on well-informed decision-making when it comes to one’s sexual behavior, their health and pregnancy.”