ANNAPOLIS, MD – In a significant move to bolster reproductive healthcare access across the state, Governor Wes Moore has announced a substantial $10.6 million investment in a new Abortion Care Clinical Training Program. This initiative, coupled with an additional $5 million allocation to enhance Medicaid provider reimbursement for abortion care and reproductive services in the FY 2025 budget, signifies Maryland’s commitment to safeguarding and expanding abortion access. The Maryland Department of Health will administer the $10.6 million grant, awarded to the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to spearhead the state’s groundbreaking Abortion Care Clinical Training Program.
“Reproductive health care is a fundamental right, and access to it must be protected,” stated Governor Moore. “Today’s announcement underscores our dedication to ensuring the health, well-being, and rights of all Marylanders. We are taking decisive steps to solidify Maryland’s position as a safe haven for reproductive care, and we will continue to champion policies that protect and expand access.”
The Moore-Miller Administration’s $5 million investment is strategically designed to strengthen the Maryland Medicaid Family Planning and Reproductive Health Program. These funds will be distributed as grants to family planning service providers, with a particular focus on abortion clinic providers statewide. The grants aim to promote best practices in patient access and fortify crucial infrastructure within abortion clinics, including advancements in information technology and staffing resources. Informed by a comprehensive review of Medicaid abortion rates nationwide, the Maryland Department of Health’s investment will facilitate increased medical and procedural abortion rates for Maryland clinics, ensuring sustainable and equitable access.
“This funding is a pivotal step forward in reinforcing reproductive rights through dedicated abortion training and education initiatives,” emphasized Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. “These comprehensive training programs, alongside Governor Moore’s commitment to supporting Medicaid providers, are essential to ensuring that abortion care in Maryland remains safe, accessible, and readily available for generations to come.”
The University of Maryland, Baltimore, will leverage the $10.6 million grant to implement a multi-faceted approach to expand the state’s abortion care capacity. Key objectives of the Maryland Abortion Care Clinical Training Program include significantly increasing the number of healthcare professionals equipped with abortion care training, actively promoting racial and ethnic diversity among these professionals, and strategically identifying clinical sites across Maryland to host and facilitate training opportunities. Program funds will be channeled to participating organizations, notably Planned Parenthood of Maryland, which will operate a community-based clinical training site, and the National Abortion Federation, which will provide crucial support to the University of Maryland, Baltimore in the comprehensive development and implementation of the statewide training system.
“Our Abortion Care Clinical Training Program directly addresses the critical public health challenge of ensuring adequate abortion care training and, consequently, abortion care access within our state,” explained Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Jessica Lee, co-principal investigator of the program. “A core focus of our program is to specifically train clinicians in underserved urban and rural areas of Maryland. This targeted approach is vital to reversing existing health inequities and ensuring that reproductive health care services are readily available to those who need them most, regardless of their location.”
Data from 2020 reveals a stark reality: over 60% of Maryland counties lacked community-based clinics offering abortion care. Expanding the pool of qualified clinicians capable of providing abortion care, particularly in underserved communities where access is already limited and for patient populations who disproportionately experience discrimination within the healthcare system, is paramount to achieving equitable access to care throughout Maryland. The Maryland Abortion Care Clinical Training Program is a direct response to this urgent need.
“Planned Parenthood of Maryland is immensely proud of the finalization of the groundbreaking Abortion Care Access Act and the expansion of vital healthcare it promises,” stated Planned Parenthood of Maryland President and Chief Executive Officer Karen J. Nelson. “We understand that the legal right to abortion is only one piece of the puzzle; true access requires dismantling barriers that prevent patients from receiving care. The Abortion Care Access Act and the establishment of the Maryland Abortion Care Clinical Training Program are crucial stepping stones towards ensuring that every patient, regardless of their zip code, can access the comprehensive care they deserve. Health care equity is simply unattainable without robust and reliable abortion access.”
“The National Abortion Federation is thrilled to witness the launch of Maryland’s Abortion Care Clinical Training Program and deeply honored to represent our members in this crucial project,” said National Abortion Federation Chief Program Officer Melissa Fowler. “In the current post-Roe landscape, ensuring that Maryland remains a sanctuary for abortion access is more critical than ever. This program is vital in guaranteeing a sufficient number of skilled healthcare professionals are trained and ready to provide abortion care. We are hopeful that this program will serve as a model for other states to emulate, fostering a nationwide network of well-trained providers who have the necessary skills, training, and support to meet the evolving needs of patients across the country.”
The Maryland Abortion Care Clinical Training Program’s funding was secured through the landmark 2022 Abortion Care Access Act, legislation specifically designed to ensure access to high-quality, safe abortion care in Maryland. By providing dedicated grants for the clinical training of abortion care providers and their essential clinical care teams, this act and the newly launched program are strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure and reinforcing its commitment to reproductive freedom.
