Maryland Dems override governor’s veto to fund abortion training, allow non-doctors to perform abortions

The Maryland state House and Senate overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto on Saturday, passing a bill to expand abortion ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s highly-anticipated decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which observers expect will overturn or restrict the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The bill, H.B. 937, establishes the “Abortion Care Clinical Training Program” in the Maryland Department of Health “to ensure that there are a sufficient number of health professionals to provide abortion care,” forces the governor to include $3.5 million in the annual budget to fund the program, and alters the law to enable professionals besides medical doctors to perform abortions.

COLORADO GOV. POLIS SIGNS BILL CREATING ‘FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT’ TO ABORTION; DENYING ANY RIGHT FOR THE UNBORN

“Thank you so much to my House colleagues for voting to override the Governor’s veto on my legislation to protect our public health officials from undue political influence,” Democratic House Delegate Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk wrote on Twitter. “It is imperative that we guide our policy by science.”

The two houses of the Maryland General Assembly passed the bill last month, with Democrats supporting it and Republicans opposing it. 

Gov. Hogan vetoed the bill Friday, saying that H.B. 937 “risks lowering the high standard of reproductive health care services received by women in Maryland. These procedures are complex, and can, and often do, result in significant medical complications that require the attention of a licensed physician.”

“The only impact that this bill would have on women’s reproductive rights would be to set back standards for women’s health care and safety,” Hogan added.

71% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT ABORTION RESTRICTIONS: POLL

The Maryland…