What’s happening?
Following the Supreme Court’s 6-3 vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion rights advocates in Maryland—one of only 13 states with robust safeguards for abortion—expect an influx of abortion-seeking patients, Julie Scharper reports for The Baltimore Banner. Abortion is not protected in states near Maryland, including West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
What abortion care resources are available in Maryland?
Planned Parenthood has nine clinics across Maryland, including a Baltimore City Health Center. In recent years, the reproductive healthcare and advocacy organization has worked to bolster the clinics’ services. Planned Parenthood also lobbied for a law passed this year by the Maryland General Assembly, which allows nurses, midwives, and physician’s assistants to also perform abortions.
The Baltimore Abortion Fund also assists individuals seeking an abortion by helping to secure travel, childcare, and other accommodations. The grassroots nonprofit organization maintains a hotline and provides on average about $4,500 for each pregnant person. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office will also give $300,000 in grants to organizations providing abortion and family planning services.
Anything else I should know?
Though Maryland has strong protections for abortion, some parts of the state do not have access to a clinic, particularly towns in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. In some of these areas, patients may have to drive about three hours to the nearest clinic.
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