Maine
Grateful for funding for family planning care in Maine | Letter
Family planning care allows people to make the reproductive health care choices that are right for them. In my early 20s, I was working a very low-paying job and needed a colposcopy after an abnormal pap smear. I was scared and broke, but I was able to access timely, affordable and compassionate care through Planned Parenthood. The results were benign, and after a short course of treatment I resumed my career and my life.
When I decided, 10 years later, to pursue pregnancy, I was able to do so with no negative consequences from my earlier health situation. That care allowed me to plan my family on my terms — and my daughter is now an 18-year-old college freshman, who is excelling in her studies and planning her own career.
Like I did in my 20s, many Mainers face barriers to care, including the financial and logistical challenges of accessing a provider. That’s particularly true in rural areas of the state. What’s more, family planning providers are often the only medical professional some patients see in a year. They play a critical role as a medical line of first defense for thousands of Mainers.
I urge our lawmakers to fund family planning care for all Mainers by passing LD 143, An Act to Improve Women’s Health and Economic Security by Funding Family Planning Services. We are counting on you to safeguard our access to reproductive health care.
Michaela Cavallaro
Portland
The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition says over the past two weeks its immigrant defense hotline has seen an uptick in reported ICE detentions.
They say this corresponds with a national shift in ICE activity, including bids for local businesses to cooperate with ICE.
In Maine, the arrests follow a broader trend of targeting Black and brown immigrants, including people navigating immigration proceedings.
The coalition, which represents more than 100 organizations, says it’s ready to protect civil and human rights and is urging immigrants to prepare themselves and their families.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
They suggest having the defense hotline ready in case you witness ICE activity, making sure you have important personal documents in case of detention, and reviewing rights around judicial warrants in private spaces, like your home or workplace.
It wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a stop at the florist.
According to Fox Business, about 154 million flowers are sold during the week of Mother’s Day. So it’s safe to say it was a busy day for stores like Estabrook’s Maine Garden Center and Nursery.
Plenty of families stopped by to pick out flowers on Sunday, looking to choose the perfect bouquet for their moms.
“I think Mother’s Day is tradition, you know, and so it’s great to see families here. We have a lot of new families that have come today for the first time with their young children and their mother. Watching the young kids and seeing how excited they are—their eyes light up at all the beautiful flowers,” Tom Estabrook, president of Estabrook’s, said.
Estabrook says Mother’s Day tends to be a great kickoff to the spring season.
-
Hawaii2 minutes agoFlorida woman dies in possible drowning in South Kona – West Hawaii Today
-
Idaho8 minutes agoPart of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
-
Illinois14 minutes agoCapitol News Illinois | Judge delays decision on special prosecutor for ‘Operation Midway Blitz’
-
Indiana20 minutes agoHighlights of what President Trump said about Indiana football during White House visit
-
Iowa26 minutes agoKim Reynolds signs ‘Ember’s law’ increasing animal torture penalties
-
Kentucky38 minutes agoChase Matthew’s bassist Carsen Richards charged with child sex crimes after being arrested at Kentucky festival
-
Louisiana44 minutes agoLouisiana to redraw congressional map after court ruling
-
Maine50 minutes agoImmigrant rights coalition reports uptick in ICE detentions across Maine