Defending Women’s Reproductive Care

As a woman and mother of three girls, I am committed to protecting reproductive freedom and ensuring Marylanders can access the care they need.

Reproductive health care decisions are deeply personal and should be made by patients in consultation with their health care providers, not politicians. I have consistently fought to protect reproductive freedom in Maryland and to ensure that our state remains a place where patients can access safe, legal, evidence-based reproductive health care.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, I supported legislation to protect Maryland patients and health care providers from out-of-state investigations and legal actions. I also served as the Senate floor leader for the constitutional amendment establishing reproductive freedom as a fundamental right in Maryland. Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved that amendment in 2024, putting these protections directly into our State Constitution.

I have continued working to protect access to care. I supported establishing Maryland’s Public Health Abortion Grant Program, which uses previously collected, unspent insurance premiums designated for abortion coverage to help expand access to care without creating a new cost for taxpayers. I also voted for the Emergency Access to Abortion Act to help ensure that patients can receive medically necessary reproductive care in emergency situations.

Reproductive health care also encompasses much more than abortion. I have made improving women’s health care throughout their lives a significant part of my legislative work. I sponsored legislation to strengthen perinatal behavioral health care by improving screening, referrals, and provider training so that women experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum can get help sooner. I also sponsored legislation to expand access to perimenopause and menopause care, including improving insurance coverage and provider education.

I believe Maryland should continue protecting reproductive freedom, patient privacy, and access to comprehensive reproductive health care. No matter where someone lives, how much money they make, or what stage of life they are in, they deserve the ability to make informed decisions about their health and to access the care they need.