Maryland is one of the most pro-abortion states in the country, but abortion advocates in the state are still not satisfied. Some say there is a loophole in Maryland law regarding taxpayer funding for abortion, and they are determined to close it.
According to the Baltimore Banner, women who enroll in Medicaid for pregnancy cannot then use those benefits to pay for abortion. “They’re able to deny pregnant people an abortion, and it’s not right,” pro-abortion lawyer Abigail Burman said.
The supposed issue has already been brought to the attention of Governor Wes Moore, and steps are evidently being taken to address it. “Since learning about this unfair exclusion only weeks ago, the administration has taken active steps not only to understand the policy’s origin but also to identify what is necessary to correct the exception,” David Turner, Moore’s communications director, said. “We will continue to work with legislators, advocates, and other stakeholder partners to ensure all Marylanders can receive more equitable abortion health care.”
Allison Claytor, a patient care technician at Partners in Abortion Care who formerly worked as a billing specialist, also claimed that applications for Medicaid funding were sometimes denied. Partners in Abortion Care is an “all-trimester” abortion facility in Maryland, and has previously complained that they weren’t getting as many late-term abortion patients as they wanted. “I’ve questioned why Maryland states it is a safe haven for abortion care, and yet Maryland Medicaid has multiple issues for coverage in abortion?” Claytor asked.
READ: ‘All-trimester’ abortion business in Maryland sells pet calendars to raise funds
Abortion activists are also demanding for a bill to be passed that would direct leftover fees collected by private health plans to be used for abortion. It previously failed, but former state Senator and current executive director of the Maryland Commission for Women Ariana Kelly said they are looking to resurrect it. “If the money goes unused, why not put it in an abortion fund?” she asked.
The money could go towards pro-family policies, like expanding maternity leave or postpartum care, or providing more resources to pregnant and parenting students attending Maryland state universities. But no, for abortion advocates, the answer is always to fund more abortions.
As it is, Maryland is an extremely pro-abortion state. Earlier this year, Governor Moore announced $15 million in new funding for abortion, and he had already signed numerous bills expanding and protecting abortion within the state, including taking steps towards a ballot initiative enshrining abortion within the Maryland constitution.
And, despite complaints about the so-called “loophole,” abortion is already funded by Medicaid in Maryland. But, as is typical for the abortion industry, it’s never enough for abortion to just be legal and available. It has to be widespread, easily accessible, and funded by taxpayers as much as possible.
