Maryland to Issue Abortion Clinic Regulations

The Maryland Catholic Conference congratulates the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) on its decision to publish final regulations for sites performing surgical abortions. While we assert that no woman should ever have to resort to ending her unborn child’s life through abortion, the regulations will go a long way to protect the health and safety of women undergoing surgical abortions in Maryland.

These regulations will close the loophole allowing surgical abortion facilities to be regulated simply as doctor offices, which perform routine care, not invasive surgery. The new regulations are based on those that govern other outpatient surgical facilities, demonstrating DHMH’s commitment to protecting patients undergoing all types of invasive surgical procedures, including abortion.

“We especially appreciate DHMH’s transparency throughout the last 15 months. Their willingness to work closely with stakeholders, in a positive and collaborative approach, was first class,” Dr. Nancy Paltell, Maryland Catholic Conference associate director, said.

“This needlessly tragic issue would have remained in the shadows and clinics would have continued to go essentially unregulated without the voices of Marylanders, those who consider themselves pro-choice as well as those who consider themselves pro-life, speaking out and calling for an end to 20 years of unchecked, and in too many cases, unsafe abortion clinics,” she said.

Maryland Catholic Conference advocates for the Church's public policy positions before the Maryland General Assembly and other civil officials. The Conference represents all three dioceses with territory in the state – the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Diocese of Wilmington.

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