$1M in abortion aid nearing approval in Montgomery Co., Maryland

Montgomery County is nearing approval for a $1 million fund that might make it simpler for folks out and in of state to entry abortions.

Why it issues: Abortion stays authorized in Maryland, the place lawmakers beforehand voted to increase entry over the veto of Governor Larry Hogan.

Montgomery County is aiming to determine itself as a haven for secure abortion entry as increasingly more states, together with West Virginia, transfer to ban or limit abortions.

• In the meantime, in Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin is pushing to restrict abortion entry, and in D.C. abortion stays authorized however could possibly be banned by a Republican-led Congress.

Particulars: The fund, initially known as for by County Government Marc Elrich when SCOTUS’ draft Roe opinion leaked, has obtained a constructive reception from the Montgomery County Council.

In a name yesterday with reporters, Elrich mentioned the fund would create grants to:

• Present wraparound providers for folks searching for abortions and selecting to have youngsters.
• Fund organizations that present abortions.
• Help organizations which have household and maternal well being packages.
• Assist organizations which can be offering authorized help to folks searching for abortions.

Elrich additionally mentioned a part of the fund would go towards coaching extra suppliers to carry out abortions as a part of Maryland’s expanded abortion legal guidelines.

• Nevertheless, Hogan refused to spend state cash on this system this yr, so Montgomery County plans to make use of its personal funding.

What’s subsequent: Elrich says he expects the council to maneuver rapidly to approve the funding and, as soon as permitted, the county will expedite the funds to get them into the arms of suppliers.