Democratic governor seeks to expand abortion access in Maine

Maine Gov. Janet Mills and legislative leaders wish to develop entry to abortion — permitting abortions after 24 weeks with a physician’s approval — and take steps to guard well being care suppliers by updating information assortment insurance policies.

One of many payments would enable abortion entry anytime earlier than delivery if deemed vital by a doctor. Present state legislation bans abortions after a fetus turns into viable exterior the womb, at roughly 24 weeks.

Mills, a Democrat, cited the case of a Yarmouth veterinarian, Dana Peirce, who was pressured to journey to Colorado for an abortion as a result of it was forbidden in Maine later in being pregnant. Peirce’s exams at 32 weeks revealed that the fetus had a lethal type of skeletal dysplasia.

“The choice to have an abortion is deeply private and, as in Dana’s case, will be heartbreaking. Basically, these are choices that needs to be made by a girl and her medical supplier,” Mills stated.

The announcement by Mills, Home Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross and Senate President Troy Jackson — all Democrats — got here days forward of what would’ve been the fiftieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which the U.S. Supreme Court docket overturned final June.

The lawmakers contended that one in three girls throughout the nation have misplaced entry to secure, authorized abortions since states started banning the process.

Talbot Ross stated Maine goes to guard abortion entry and well being care suppliers. “We’re serving as a light-weight that conjures up others across the nation by defending those that want it and displaying precisely methods to battle again,” she stated.

Republicans had been engaged on an announcement in response to the announcement.

In Maine, a Republican governor in 1993 signed a legislation affirming the best to abortion earlier than a fetus is viable. Underneath present legislation, abortion is barely allowed after that if the life or well being of the one who is pregnant is in danger, or if the being pregnant is now not viable.

Mills stated she hasn’t decided on whether or not Maine ought to put ahead a constitutional modification to enshrine the state legislation. She stated the matter is at the moment below overview by the lawyer basic.

Peirce stated she was shocked to be taught throughout a routine screening that her son — she’d already named him Cameron — had a lethal situation and was struggling within the womb from a damaged bone and different issues.

Mills stated that nobody ought to need to undergo what Peirce went by way of — and to have to hunt well being care in one other state for one thing that was medically really helpful.

“This was a extremely unhappy factor to occur. We did our greatest. I’m doing my finest now to alter it for different folks,” Mills stated.

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Observe David Sharp on Twitter @David_Sharp_AP