"It's difficult for anyone to argue with the good news stories of pregnancy centers and the powerful truth revealed about the sanctity of human life," said Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde

Contact: Kristin Hansen, Care Net, 703-554-8742

LANSDOWNE, Va., April 8, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net, a national network of 1,130 pregnancy centers, celebrated the defeat of an Oregon bill that was designed to direct pregnant women away from pregnancy centers and toward abortion providers. The bill, SB 769, was prompted by abortion advocacy groups that have launched a nationwide campaign against pregnancy centers that help women choose alternatives to abortion. The bill was defeated Wednesday when a Senate Committee passed over the bill after hearing strong testimony from pregnancy center directors, former clients, and other advocates.

Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde praised the Oregon legislators for refusing to lend support to the bill. "Care Net commends Oregon legislators for recognizing the truth about SB 769 -- that it was a biased attack by one industry on its competition," Delahoyde said. "Women in Oregon deserve to make their own choice of where they go for help with an unexpected pregnancy. This bill would have eliminated that choice and had the government pointing them solely to abortion providers.

"Women whose lives were touched by the compassionate, caring work of pregnancy centers are speaking out. It's difficult for anyone to argue with their stories and the powerful truth revealed about the sanctity of human life.

"In addition, Oregon pregnancy centers have a strong record of service to the state. In 2010, they received zero federal or state funding and provided more than $6 million dollars worth of free services to more than 45,000 women.

"Care Net would like to thank everyone who came to the support of pregnancy centers in opposition to this bill -- you made a difference!"

Pregnancy centers provide practical help and emotional support to empower those facing unplanned pregnancies to make an informed and life-affirming pregnancy decision. Care Net is a national organization supporting the work of 1,130 pregnancy center in North America. Together with Heartbeat International, Care Net operates the Option Line, the only, national, multi-channel contact center connecting women facing unplanned pregnancies with local pregnancy centers.