“Catholic charitable agencies and pregnancy-help centers have helped countless pregnant women find life-affirming alternatives to abortion,” Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston wrote in a letter to senators on Aug. 3.

“Our hospitals and other health facilities are second to none in providing quality health care for women.”

“Federal community health centers do not perform abortions but are required by law to provide an array of services, including prenatal care, immunizations and cancer screenings,” reported Catholic News Agency, adding, “Community health centers vastly outnumber Planned Parenthood businesses, particularly in states where there are only one or two facilities.

“According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List, the health centers serve almost eight times the number of women per year that Planned Parenthood does. There are more than 9,000 community health centers in the U.S. but only 700 Planned Parenthood facilities.”