I sent this email to the lobbyist for Planned Parenthood on November 16.

Subject: Our response if federal government defunds Planned Parenthood

“I’ve just started to think about what we could do in Md. If this happens. We should talk.” Sandy

Our conversation, joined by other legislators and key staffers, resulted in House Bill 1083, Health – Family Planning Services – Continuity of Care.

Why do we need this bill?

The legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act would end federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

For many years, the federal government has funded abortions only in very limited circumstances.

Family planning services and other reproductive health care, if provided by Planned Parenthood, would no longer be paid for.

Our bill would compensate for that by requiring the State of Maryland to fund that care for eligible patients.

I didn’t speak at the press conference today.

I spoke at the bill hearing instead.

Delegate Szeliga, the Republican whip, suggested that the services now available from Planned Parenthood would be offered by other health care providers.

When the Supreme Court struck down Texas’ restrictive abortion law last year, it discredited the state’s argument that abortion services would be adequately provided by the clinics that would not be closed by the Texas law.

I made note of that decision when I asked the Planned Parenthood lobbyist, as well as a representative of another health care provider, if the proposed federal prohibition, like the Texas law, would leave many women in Maryland without these vital health care services.

Both said yes.

I asked them to provide numbers – for the upcoming vote in my committee and hopefully, the House floor.