Nickie McCarty, director of New Mexico's Women for America, said that school-based health centers are providing confidential reproductive services, including contraception and abortion resources, without parental notification. She made this statement at the Save the Babies Rally on January 29.
"Schools in NM require students to take a health class to meet graduation requirements," said McCarty, New Mexico State Director. "Our public schools have allowed Planned Parenthood access to our children to push their agenda. Teens can get information about reproductive health services, get birth control delivered, and information to find an abortion provider."
According to McCarty, New Mexico has more than 70 school-based health centers offering services such as immunizations, asthma and diabetes management, and reproductive health care. Some of the resources used in sex education curricula come from Planned Parenthood, giving the organization influence in public school health programs. Additionally, teens over 14 can access reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, contraception, and mental health services.
On January 24, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order reinstating the Hyde Amendment, blocking federal funds from being used for abortions. The order revoked Executive Orders 14076 and 14079, which had created loopholes for taxpayer-funded abortion access under President Joe Biden, according to the Women for America's website.
Abort73.com reports that an estimated 20,980 abortions took place in New Mexico in 2023, up from 5,880 in 2020. Approximately 50% of pregnancies in the state ended in abortion, with 62% of abortions performed on out-of-state residents. New Mexico’s 2023 abortion rate of 51.6 per 1,000 women was more than three times the national average of 15.6.
According to the Women for America's website, McCarty is a former educator and athletic director dedicated to reversing the state’s abortion laws. She leads CWA’s Taos County Prayer/Action Chapter and serves as the children’s and youth ministry director at her church.
