ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Leading Maryland Democrats are supporting legislation for funding Planned Parenthood because of concerns that the federal government will cut family planning funds.
House Speaker Michael Busch joined other lawmakers Wednesday to express support for continued family planning services in the state. Busch says the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act in Washington could cut family planning services that help 25,000 women in the state.
The speaker says the Maryland measure would direct $2 million in the state's Medicaid budget to family planning, as well as another $700,000 from the state's general fund.
Sen. Nancy King says funding for Planned Parenthood isn't just about abortion. The Montgomery County Democrat says it provides mammograms, family planning, checkups and other critical needs.
Governor Hogan
With the unveiling of the GOP's replacement for the Affordable Care Act, Governor Larry Hogan's spokesman Doug Mayer told the Baltimore Sun that the governor does not want to see anyone lose their health care, but added, that "he wants a system that works.:
Mayor said, that the governor saw the Republican plan as a first draft for replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Meanwhile, Congressman J0hn Sarbanes (D-Md) has sent a letter to Hogan asking him to oppose the repeal of the health care law.
The Baltimore Sun reports that Sarbanes said this could effect more than 400,000 Marylanders who are benefiting from the Medicaid expansion and the health insurance exchanges.
Senator Ben Cardin
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Ben Cardin is calling a new health care bill from House Republicans a "misguided" attempt to shift costs to middle-class Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Maryland Democrat said the bill would leave 289,000 residents who gained coverage through Medicaid expansion without coverage. He says under the bill, Maryland's 1.25 million Medicaid enrollees won't have access to mental health and substance abuse treatments, pediatric dental services or maternity coverage.
He says a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would mean higher costs and fewer benefits for all, not just the 400,000 people in Maryland who gained coverage. He says the bill continues Republican attacks on Planned Parenthood, putting 10 of the organization's health centers in Maryland at risk.
