Across the nation, the right to choose is under fire more than ever before. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is dangerous and jeopardizes the bodily autonomy of women and non-gender-conforming individuals everywhere. In recent years, Maryland has taken important steps to protect abortion rights, including codifying the right to abortion and increasing training for abortion providers in order to expand access to reproductive health care. However, too many Marylanders continue to lack access to this care. In fact, more than 70% of counties in Maryland lack access to a clinic that provides abortion care, meaning nearly one-third of Maryland women live in an area where they cannot access an abortion clinic.
Wes recognizes that all Marylanders deserve the autonomy to make their own decisions about their reproductive healthcare. Wes and Aruna will fight to make access to reproductive care more affordable and accessible in every corner of our state, and will:
- Enshrine the right to abortion in Maryland’s Constitution and establish Maryland as a safe haven for reproductive health care.
- Demand that Governor Hogan release appropriated funding to expand training for reproductive health care providers so more people can access care. If Governor Hogan fails to act, Wes and Aruna will release this funding on day one.
- Improve diversity in the reproductive health care field to ensure all Marylanders feel comfortable accessing reproductive health care.
- Address and eliminate disparities in maternal mortality rates for Black and Brown women by incorporating social determinants of health into health care settings and reporting measures across the state.
- Implement legislation requiring Maryland’s Medicaid program to provide one year of postpartum coverage to new mothers.
- Expand home visiting programs, which provide expecting and new mothers with wraparound supports and education.
- Work with broad coalitions and organizations like NARAL, Planned Parenthood and others to advance access to reproductive health care in Maryland.