Crisis pregnancy centers are the subject of a new consumer alert issued by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

The controversial facilities have been criticized by women's health groups and other pro-choice organizations, which allege they try to manipulate pregnant individuals out of seeking care from certified reproductive health and abortion providers.

Ellison's office say CPCs outnumber abortion clinics in Minnesota by an 11:1 ratio, though a study by Racket MN suggests the ratio could be as high as 13:1....

...The vast majority of CPCs have no licensed medical providers on staff and provide few, if any, medical services, according to a study by The Alliance, a reproductive rights organization. "CPCs use deceptive and misleading practices to exploit economic insecurity and gaps in access to health care to advance their anti-abortion, anti-contraception agenda," writes The Alliance.

Ellison encouraged Minnesotans to "do their homework" and seek care from licensed healthcare professionals.

The state constitution guarantees the right to a safe and legal abortion in Minnesota, but the issue has moved to the forefront of the upcoming election following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade.