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BALTIMORE, MD. (Tuesday, July 25, 2023) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that the City of Baltimore, in partnership with the Baltimore Civic Fund, will invest an additional round of grant funding toward nonprofit organizations providing abortion and abortion care services. This additional funding comes after a first round of grants in 2022, immediately following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
“In Baltimore and across Maryland, we have made clear that women’s right to make their own health decisions is non-negotiable,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “As so many parts of the country are pulled backwards by conservative activists hoping to eliminate reproductive freedom — here in Baltimore City, we will always stand in strong support of comprehensive reproductive health care. With this additional round of funding, our city is investing in those values and helping to meet the needs of care-seekers.”
While Maryland has had strong pro-choice protection in place since 1992, after the Supreme Court decision Mayor Scott and the Baltimore City Council acted quickly to preserve and expand Baltimore’s capacity to serve care-seekers. Early in June 2022, the City Council passed a resolution to designate Baltimore City as an Abortion Rights Protection Jurisdiction and together, Mayor Scott and Councilmembers established the Abortion Protection Fund to infuse additional support to Baltimore organizations providing care for people seeking to terminate a pregnancy.
The 2022 Abortion Protection Fund grants supported five Baltimore-based nonprofit organizations with investments ranging from $8,000 to $50,000. Grant funding has supported increased access to abortion services for Baltimore City and Maryland residents, as well as those seeking care from out-of-state – by helping grantees to hire more staff, increase the number of in-person and medication abortion telehealth visits, decrease the time to access abortion services, and cover costs for travel and medical treatment.
“As we face the overturn of Roe v. Wade, safeguarding reproductive health becomes a crucial imperative. Together, we must advocate for policies that promote reproductive freedom and ensure that everyone can exercise control over their own reproductive choices,” said Councilwoman Phylicia Porter (District 10). “My vision is to empower and uplift our community through equitable access to healthcare services. Baltimore is dedicated to safeguarding reproductive rights and ensuring that all our residents and visitors have access to the healthcare they need. By investing in these organizations, we are reinforcing our commitment to a healthier and more prosperous future reproductive health for all Baltimoreans.»
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