Mayor Scott Allocates $300,000 to Abortion and Family Planning Service Providers
BALTIMORE, MD. (Friday, June 24, 2022) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that the City of Baltimore would provide $300,000 in grants to organizations that offer abortion and family planning services. This is a meaningful step toward maintaining Baltimore City’s status as a place where residents and visitors can obtain safe, legal abortion services.
This announcement comes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier today. Maryland’s strong pro-choice legislation is not expected to change, so the city is preparing to expand service capacity to meet the needs of its residents and any care-seekers from states with anti-choice laws.
“A woman’s decision about what to do with her own body is a fundamental human right,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “It is crucial that we invest in abortion and family planning so that we can welcome women seeking these services with open arms. We are morally obligated to make Baltimore a safe haven for care-seekers, and we are committed to doing just that.”
Earlier in June, the City Council passed a resolution to designate Baltimore City as an Abortion Rights Protection Jurisdiction and improve abortion care capacity in preparation for an increase in the number of out-of-state patients seeking to terminate a pregnancy.
“As a Black woman and public health expert, I cannot stress enough how important it is to fund abortion services. Lack of access to safe abortions leads to significant increases in pregnancy related deaths,” said Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, District 10. “It is our responsibility as elected leaders to protect the health of our residents and eliminate barriers to care.”
“We are at a critical crossroads,” said Council Vice-President Sharon Green Middleton, District 6.”It is so important that we do the right thing and support local abortion service providers. Together, we are reaffirming a woman’s right to choose and will make Baltimore a haven for individuals seeking care.”
“I want to thank Mayor Scott for sharing our commitment to ensuring the reproductive health of both city residents and visiting care-seekers,” said Councilman Zeke Cohen, District 1. “We will not allow the court to strip away autonomy and dignity from vulnerable people. Baltimore will be a sanctuary in the storm.”
“Today's decision by the Supreme Court is absolutely shameful and especially detrimental to Black women like me,” said Councilwoman Danielle McCray, District 2, Chair of the Council’s Health, Environment, and Technology Committee. “ I applaud Mayor Scott for his swift and decisive action on behalf of women, not just those in Baltimore. In partnership with the Mayor, we are ensuring safe and reliable access for care-seekers.”
“In 1992 Maryland ensured that a woman’s right to choose in Maryland was never in doubt. We are a safe place because of the work of so many women coming together, of which I am honored to be one of many, said Councilwoman Odette Ramos, District 14. “This Supreme Court decision is nothing short of a disaster for women across the Country, and puts women’s rights back decades. Shame on them. In Baltimore, we’re taking action to ensure that women have the right to safe abortion care. I’m proud of our city and state, and will fight for the rights of our sisters across the country - again.”
$300,000 will be set aside to stand up a fund at the Baltimore Civic Fund used to provide funding directly to organizations that provide abortion and family planning services.
