Texas Overhauls Anti-Abortion Program That Spent Tens of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars With Little Oversight

Published: Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 9:00 am

Texas Overhauls Abortion Alternatives Program After Investigation Reveals Financial Mismanagement

Texas health officials are implementing significant changes to the "Thriving Texas Families" program, which supports parenting and adoption as alternatives to abortion. The overhaul follows a joint investigation by ProPublica and CBS News that uncovered financial mismanagement within the program, which funnels taxpayer dollars to a network of nonprofit organizations, primarily crisis pregnancy centers.

The program's funding has grown substantially over two decades, reaching $100 million annually. Under the new regulations, organizations will be required to document all expenses and will only be reimbursed for state-approved services. The state will also move to a competitive selection process for contractors, ending the automatic renewal of agreements.

The investigation revealed that the previous system allowed organizations to bill the state for more than the actual cost of services, leading to financial gains for some centers. Some organizations used reimbursements to purchase real estate, while others misused funds for personal expenses. The state also lacked visibility into the services provided and whether they reached those most in need.

The new rules aim to address these issues by shifting to a cost-reimbursement model, aligning with standard practices for public funds distribution. However, some experts express concerns about potential risks, such as organizations inflating expenses. While some critics of the program see the changes as a positive step, others question whether the centers can adapt to the stricter requirements.

BNN's Perspective: While the reforms are a welcome step towards greater financial accountability, the state must ensure robust oversight to prevent potential misuse of funds under the new cost-reimbursement model. The focus should remain on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively to support the intended beneficiaries of the program.

Keywords: Texas, abortion, crisis pregnancy centers, Thriving Texas Families, funding, reimbursement, financial mismanagement, ProPublica, CBS News, oversight, cost-reimbursement, taxpayer dollars, program reform.

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