Sandpoint, Idaho — Visitors to an anti-abortion pregnancy center in this Idaho Panhandle town encounter a Bible verse on the wall of its waiting area: “Come to me & I will give you rest.” The 7B Care Clinic, operational since 2001, is part of the Christian evangelical Care Net network and provides various pregnancy-related resources including tests, limited ultrasounds, and parenting classes free of charge. Donations support its service costs, according to Executive Director Janine Shepard.
Known as crisis pregnancy centers, these organizations offer limited services to pregnant women while discouraging abortions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criticizes some centers for using deceptive practices. 7B has seen increased activity after the closure of the local hospital’s labor and delivery unit three years ago, leaving a void for reproductive services for over 10,000 residents in Sandpoint and surrounding rural areas.
By December 2024, following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Idaho lost a significant number of OB-GYNs. In response, 7B is working on expanding its capabilities. Plans include adding to its current premises to accommodate more obstetric care and partnering with a hospital 30 miles away in Washington to bring in an OB-GYN weekly.
As rural hospitals and labor units continue to close, crisis pregnancy centers like 7B look to fill maternal care deserts. Some states have passed laws reducing oversight on these centers and providing substantial funding. 7B offers essential resources to low-income women, though critics argue its lack of medical regulation and potential bias make it unsuitable for comprehensive care.
Jen Jackson Quintano of the Pro-Voice Project views crisis pregnancy centers as misleading, drawing women in with free services before pushing an anti-abortion agenda. Janine Shepard invites scrutiny and discussion, asserting that 7B supports women through informed discussions on parenting, adoption, and abortion.
Andrea Swartzendruber, a public health expert, notes that crisis pregnancy centers exploit healthcare gaps but lack the infrastructure to fully address these needs. Her research shows over 2,600 such centers in the U.S. as of 2024, outnumbering abortion clinics. Some centers allegedly mislead clients by masquerading as medical facilities.
The Trump administration has supported these centers, evidenced by a Department of Health and Human Services website promoting their services. In conservative regions like Sandpoint, where abortion laws remain strict, 7B’s presence grows amid healthcare scarcity.
Lori Sabin, a midwife, finds 7B’s services beneficial, especially considering the area’s healthcare challenges. Amelia Huntsberger, an OB-GYN who left Sandpoint, acknowledges 7B’s role yet expresses concerns about its medical facade. Lisa Battisfore, from Reproductive Transparency Now, warns against ignoring the broader issues of crisis pregnancy centers’ operations.
Sandpoint continues to grapple with the healthcare void left by Bonner General Health’s unit closure. The local hospital is making efforts to rebuild community trust and improve women’s healthcare services. Yet, for residents like counselor Makayla Sundquist, the choice between traveling for medical services and relying on a faith-based option remains troubling.
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