After the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, which eliminates the legal basis that guarantees the access to abortion in the country, Maryland is one of the states that has been singled out as a safe destiny for women who live in a region where it is prohibited and plan to have the procedure.
Nevertheless, the state would not be ready to receive increased demand of abortions, since it has difficulties to provide it only to its population, according to legislators and organizations in favor of women’s rights.
According to the organization Planned ParenthoodCurrently, there are not enough providers to meet the demand in Maryland, and if patients from other places come to the state to undergo the process, that might aggravate the situation.
“Here in Maryland we have been concerned regarding this for a long time, we don’t have enough providers to meet the demand because two-thirds of the counties in Maryland don’t have providers that perform abortions,” said Karen Nelson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Maryland.
The abortion law in Maryland
In Maryland, abortion is legal when a doctor deems it feasible.
If the life of the mother or the fetus is at risk, or if a genetic defect, serious deformity or anomaly is detected in the fetus, abortion is legal. In addition, the parents or guardians of a minor seeking the procedure must be notified.
Access to abortion is protected under current Maryland law, so it remains legal even following the Supreme Court reversed the Roe vs. Wade.
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According to the most recent figures from the Guttmacher Institute, during 2017, 71% of counties in the state did not have a provider of abortion services and 29% of women ages 15-44 lived in a county without one that same year.
The average driving distance for women ages 15-49 in Maryland to the nearest clinic for abortions following 24 weeks was 29 miles, a reality that continues to be an issue according to Planned Parenthood.
The General Assembly of Maryland expanded access to abortion by allowing nurse practitioners, midwives, and physician assistants to perform these procedures. The legislation also appropriated $3.5 million each year in state funds annually to train these providers.
However, these funds will begin to be allocated until July 1, 2023 and Maryland legislators have asked the governor Larry Hogan to start distributing the funds from this year, an urgent measure, because if it does not happen next Friday, we would have to wait a year.
“Governor Hogan has not wanted to give the money and in the General Assembly what we ask is that he please give the money this year and not next year, we hope that many people come and we are going to need the resources,” said Joseline Peña Melnyk, state delegate from Maryland.
“July 1, 2023 is when these funds are supposed to be available, but the governor has the ability to release those funds 12 months earlier,” added Karen Nelson.
With information from Thalia Varelas.
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