Low-Income Women's Access to Abortion

Maryland allows women eligible for state medical assistance for general health care to obtain public funds for abortion:  (1) continuation of the pregnancy is likely to result in the woman's death; (2) the woman is a victim of rape, incest, or a sexual offense reported to a law enforcement, public health, or social agency; (3) the fetus is affected by a genetic defect or serious deformity or abnormality; (4) abortion is medically necessary because there is substantial risk that continuation of the pregnancy could have a serious and adverse effect on the woman's present or future physical health; or (5) continuation of the pregnancy is creating a serious effect on the woman's mental health and if carried to term there is substantial risk of serious or long lasting effect on the woman's future mental health.  Md. Regs. Code tit. 10, §§ 09.02.04(G), 09.34.04(A)(5), 09.34.04(B)(2); Md. Medical Assistance Program, Physician Servs. Provider Fee Manual, p. 13 (July 1, 2007) at http://dhmh.state.md.us/mma/providerinfo/pdf/Physmanual0706.pdf.