Reproductive Rights
Endorsed by National Organization for Women (NOW) PAC, Montgomery County NOW PAC, & Pro-Choice Maryland Action
It Took A Village to Pass the Abortion Care Access Act!
I was proud to sponsor HB 937, the Abortion Care Access Act, which represents the most comprehensive state action in the nation in response to the Supreme Court’s potential overturn of Roe v. Wade. The legislation solves the critical shortage of abortion providers in the state by removing an outdated physician-only restriction that prevents Advanced Practice Clinicians from providing abortion care. It also invests in clinical training opportunities for reproductive healthcare providers ensuring that Marylanders will have adequate access to care no matter what happens on the national level. The legislation also makes access to care more affordable by prohibiting insurance carriers from charging co-pays and deductibles and also makes Medicaid coverage for abortion care permanent.
HB 970, which I sponsored, removes barriers to critical care for sexual assault survivors by prohibiting insurance carriers from requiring pre-authorization for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medications to guard against HIV infection.
The Contraceptive Equity Act (HB 1005), which I sponsored in 2016, ensures that cost will no longer be a barrier to people in Maryland getting the type of birth control they need. Key components include eliminating most co-payments for birth control, lifting pre-authorization requirements for women obtaining IUDs and implants, and allowing patients to receive up to six months of birth control at one time. The Act also made Maryland the first state in the nation to provide equity in contraception access for men by broadening coverage of vasectomies without co-payments and to provide insurance coverage for over-the-counter contraceptive medications, like emergency contraception or Plan B.
PROTECTING MATERNAL, PRENATAL & INFANT HEALTH
The Healthy Babies Equity Act (HB 1080) guarantees prenatal and postpartum care to undocumented pregnant women and automatically enrolls their babies into Maryland Medicaid for the first year of their lives. Maryland can apply for matching federal funding and will likely see fiscal savings due to expected decreases in pregnancy complications and adverse fetal outcomes.
My legislation, HB 219, expands access to oral hygiene treatments for pregnant women during regular prenatal checkups. Research shows 56% of pregnant women receive no other dental care throughout their pregnancy.
HB 109 improves the newborn screening program by requiring that babies in Maryland be screened for each condition listed in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. More comprehensive screening can help families identify critical conditions and access life-saving treatment for their children more quickly.