Maryland lawmakers propose abortion grant program as requests for help ‘skyrocket'
BALTIMORE — Dozens of Maryland lawmakers want to create a stable funding source for abortion care months after state residents voted to enshrine access to reproductive health care, including abortion, in the state constitution.
House Bill 930, sponsored by Del. Lesley Lopez, a Montgomery County Democrat, would create the Public Health Abortion Grant Program under the state health department to help fund abortion care for people who are uninsured, underinsured or unable to use their insurance due to risks posed by communication from insurance carriers regarding coverage, according to the bill language.
'We'll have lots of hard choices to make this session, but this bill is not one of them,' she said at a House Health and Government Operations Committee bill hearing on Thursday. 'Today, we have the opportunity to invest in the health of residents, improve economic security for our state and to meet the moment with no burden to taxpayers. Abortion is not a luxury, it is health care, and Maryland voters resoundingly agree.'
In November, 76% of Marylanders voted in favor of the statewide ballot question concerning access to reproductive health care.
Funding for the grant program would come from surplus insurance premiums mandated under the Affordable Care Act. A $1 premium is charged per member per month, exclusively for abortion coverage, Lopez said, and those funds are kept in separate accounts. The Maryland Insurance Administration believes $25 million in funds are available and an additional $3 million is generated annually, she added.
To ensure that funds are being used for direct services, Lopez said, the Maryland Department of Health must also give at least 90% of the total program funds to eligible organizations that provide abortion care services.
Even though Maryland has abortion protections in place, there are still issues with access to care for certain populations and locations, as well as the reality of providers leaving the field, said Karen Nelson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Maryland.
'Having this fund would limit the stress that's put on providers, and most importantly, the patients themselves,' she said.
Lynn McCann-Yeh, co-executive director of the Baltimore Abortion Fund, said requests for assistance from her nonprofit have 'continued to skyrocket' from both Maryland residents and people traveling from out of state for care, leading to limited funding and patients being turned away.
Patients sit in waiting rooms across the state, she said, hoping funding will come through and they can be seen, but help isn't always available.
'Our case managers have to tell them, 'I'm sorry, we don't have enough, the best that we can do is give you a ride home or buy a plane ticket so that you can get back,'' McCann-Yeh said of people seeking abortions later in their pregnancies. 'For later care clients, that means they're often remaining pregnant and forced to give birth against their will. It is sickening that this is happening, and it is happening with increasing frequency.'
Opponents, however, argued against pushing more funding for abortion.
'The state is actively engaging in abortion coercion because it prioritizes abortion funding while depriving women equal access to life-saving alternatives to abortion,' said Laura Bogley, executive director of Maryland Right to Life. 'If the state really trusts women to decide, then bring these pro-life bills to a vote and give women real choices. The multibillion-dollar abortion industry does not need or deserve more public funding.'
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Miami Herald
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Newsweek
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Full List of Congress Members Backing War Powers Resolution Against Trump
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Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution." Khanna shared similar concerns in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday after the strikes on Iran moved forward. "Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk," the congressman said. "Congress needs to come back to DC immediately to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation." Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, introduced companion legislation to the House resolution the day before his House colleagues. "It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict," the senator said in a press release. President Donald Trump addresses the nation, alongside Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 21, following the announcement... President Donald Trump addresses the nation, alongside Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 21, following the announcement that the U.S. bombed nuclear sites in Iran. Left inset: Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, is seen on June 4 in Washington, D.C. Right inset: Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, is seen on June 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. More Carlos Barria/AFP/Kevin Dietsch/Full List of Members of Congress Backing the War Powers Resolution Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat Representative Val Hoyle, an Oregon Democrat Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat Representative Donald Beyer, a Virginia Democrat Representative Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat Representative Greg Casar, a Texas Democrat Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat Representative Delia Ramirez, an Illinois Democrat Representative Summer Lee, a Pennsylvania Democrat Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat Representative Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, an Illinois Democrat Representative Nydia Velazquez, a New York Democrat Representative James McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat Representative Chellie Pingree, a Maine Democrat Representative Mark Pocan, a Wisconsin Democrat Representative Veronica Escobar, a Texas Democrat Representative Paul Tonko, a New York Democrat Representative Becca Balint, a Vermont Democrat Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat Representative Henry "Hank" Johnson, a Georgia Democrat Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Washington, D.C., Democrat Representative Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat Representative Janice Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat Representative Lateefah Simon, a California Democrat Representative Christopher Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat Representative Gwen Moore, a Wisconsin Democrat Representative Mike Thompson, a California Democrat Representative Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat Representative Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat Representative Luis Correa, a California Democrat Representative Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat Representative Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat Representative Mark DeSaulnier, a California Democrat Representative Stephen Lynch, a Massachusetts Democrat Representative Andre Carson, an Indiana Democrat Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, a Pennsylvania Democrat Representative Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat Representative Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat Representative Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat Representative Sylvia Garcia, a Texas Democrat Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez, a New Mexico Democrat Representative Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat What People Are Saying Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities told Newsweek: "Iran has several options when it comes to retaliation, but will need to weigh them carefully. A stronger response may be useful for signaling Tehran's continuing resolve to internal and external audiences but it could also bring further U.S. military action and deeper U.S. involvement. Iran could target U.S. military bases and personnel in the Middle East." President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Saturday evening: "ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU!" Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people." What Happens Next? Iran's foreign minister said after the attack that his country reserves "all options to defend its sovereignty." The U.S. military is preemptively preparing for any attack from Tehran in response. It's unclear whether the War Powers Resolution sponsored by Khanna and Massie, which aims to curb Trump's ability to take military action against Iran, will move forward in the House. However, with Republican control of both chambers of Congress, it is not widely expected to succeed.
Politico
2 hours ago
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