When Pennsylvanians hear “healthcare,” they expect safety and professionalism.
Yet for women inside abortion facilities across our state, the record tells another story.
In 2011, just after the horrors of the infamous Gosnell case, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed bipartisan abortion facility regulations. These included updated safety regulations and mandatory health and building safety inspections that would finally hold facilities performing surgical abortions to the same standard as any other surgical facility.
One would hope that these new requirements would prompt Pennsylvania’s abortion facilities to clean up their act in response to Gosnell’s horrors. But that’s not the case.
Since health and building safety inspections began being required in 2012, PA’s abortion facilities have received over 600 infractions—violations of state health and building safety laws and regulations—without any fines or penalties from state agencies.
These violations are cited within over 185 failed health and building safety inspections since 2012.
Year-by-year infractions & inspection failures are as follows:
2012: 258 infractions, 23 failed inspections
2013: 16 infractions, 12 failed inspections
2014: 35 infractions, 18 failed inspections
2015: 17 infractions, 12 failed inspections
2016: 20 infractions, 6 failed inspections
2017: 46 infractions, 18 failed inspections
2018: 25 infractions, 15 failed inspections
2019: 44 infractions, 15 failed inspections
2020:31 infractions, 10 failed inspections
2021: 33 infractions, 18 failed inspections
2022: 30 infractions, 13 failed inspections
2023: 25 infractions, 16 failed inspections
2024: 12 infractions, 9 failed inspections
2025: 8 infractions, 3 failed inspections (and counting)
These numbers aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. Each infraction represents a moment when women’s health and safety were treated as expendable.
And these aren’t isolated incidents. Across Pennsylvania, abortion facilities large and small, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to rural centers, have cut corners on basic safety. The following are just a few examples.
Notable facility-by-facility infractions & inspection failures over the years include:
Allegheny Reproductive Health Center (Pittsburgh): Unqualified staff caught administering anesthesia. Did not properly observe postoperative patients nor have a Registered Nurse in attendance when patients were present.
Allentown Women’s Center: Did not properly disinfect ultrasound tools. Delayed transferring multiple women displaying life-threatening conditions after abortions to the ER.
Mazzoni Center (Philadelphia): Failed to have a written hospital transfer agreement for emergencies.
Philadelphia Women’s Center: Failed to verify the licenses of nurses working at the facility. Did not report multiple botched abortions resulting in women being rushed to the hospital.
Planned Parenthood Allentown: Caught not administering proper medication to women obtaining abortions. Did not properly report botched abortion.
Planned Parenthood Harrisburg: Failed to provide a functional and sanitary environment.
Planned Parenthood Lancaster: Abortionists on staff did not have valid credentials on file.
Planned Parenthood Reading: Failed to ensure the completion and documentation of screenings for patients pre-abortion. Did not dispose of outdated supplies.
Planned Parenthood Wilkes-Barre: Did not document whether patients received state-mandated materials before abortion.
Planned Parenthood York: Did not have all the required equipment available for emergency resuscitation of patients. Failed to properly report a “ serious event” (likely a botched abortion).
Planned Parenthood of Western PA (Pittsburgh): Did not keep the premises and equipment clean. Failed to document that medications were administered by authorized persons.
Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA (Norristown): Did not conduct background checks on employees treating minors. Failed to provide a functional and sanitary environment.
Planned Parenthood Far Northeast Health Center (Comly Rd., Philadelphia): Failed to ensure staff were certified. Did not maintain a safe and sanitary environment within the facility.
Planned Parenthood Locust St. (Philadelphia): Caught using expired anesthetic. Improperly discharged multiple patients.
Planned Parenthood West Chester: Caught employing personnel without proper training and competencies. Failed to ensure a functional and sanitary environment.
600 infractions later, Pennsylvania abortion facilities have received no fines or penalties from state agencies. Despite the sheer magnitude of the Pennsylvania abortion industry’s basic safety failures, politicians in Harrisburg continue to prop up and shield them from accountability.
Governor Josh Shapiro regularly repeats lies that Planned Parenthood provides prenatal care and funnels funds originally appropriated for abortion alternatives to organizations that financially supplement abortion facilities.
Instead of protecting women, Gov. Shapiro has chosen to protect the abortion industry’s bottom line. When elected leaders ignore 600 violations yet amplify Planned Parenthood talking points, it’s clear where their priorities lie.
Alarmingly, members of the legislature have proposed legislation to remove the regulations, including inspection requirements, that were passed in response to Gosnell. In both the state House and Senate, lawmakers have proposed the so-called “Reproductive Freedom Act” to deregulate abortion facilities. Planned Parenthood is actively lobbying in favor of these bills. For more information and to take action, click here.
Six hundred infractions should be more than enough. Pennsylvania women deserve better, and so do their families. It’s time for lawmakers to hold this industry accountable — and for citizens like us to demand it.
On September 22, you can make your voice heard to our lawmakers in Harrisburg by joining us at the 5th annual Pennsylvania March for Life on the steps of the Capitol. Planned Parenthood harms women and children every day, and we must stand for truth in the face of their harmful practices. Let’s speak out in truth for those who cannot speak for themselves. For more information about the march, a list of buses, volunteer info, and more, visit www.pafamily.org/march.
