Protecting Reproductive Rights
I am outraged at the decision by the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, removing the constitutional right to an abortion in our country. Taking away bodily autonomy and the right to make one’s own health care choices is regressive, dangerous, and sets us back 50 years.
Fortunately, here in Maryland, access to a full range of reproductive services will not be affected. The Maryland General Assembly has passed several laws to guarantee abortion care over the years. During this year’s Legislative Session, I was a proud co-sponsor of the Abortion Care Access Act, which allows health practitioners outside of physicians — including nurse practitioners, midwives and physician assistants — to perform abortions. It also creates a training program to expand the number of health care professionals with abortion care training. The House of Delegates also passed a Constitutional Amendment to ensure access to reproductive health care can never be negotiated or bargained for in the State of Maryland. Unfortunately, the Senate did not take action on this bill.
As your representative, I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House of Delegates and call on Congress to prioritize the issue of reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. We cannot let this decision dissuade us from doing everything we can to protect women’s rights.