In this clip, 13 WJZ's Alex DeMetrick covers a new Maryland law (SB 848) that aims to help residents access contraception. According to DeMetrick, the Maryland Contraceptive Equity Act, among other provisions, "eliminates most [copayments] for birth control," allows women to receive a six-month supply of contraception at one time and requires insurers to cover vasectomies without copays. He notes that supporters of the act "see it as a blueprint for other states."
Maryland Delegate Ariana Kelly (D), who sponsored the legislation, said, "We wanted to do something big to really stand up to some of the attacks against women's health we've been seeing."
Separately, Karen Nelson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Maryland, comments, "It's wonderful to see the state of Maryland pushing forward in a time where so many places across this country are holding women back and holding back reproductive rights and reproductive health." She said the bill "provide[s] the most access [to contraception], more than anywhere in the entire country" (DeMetrick, 13 WJZ, 5/10).
