I am writing in support of L.D. 780, Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Protect Personal Reproductive Autonomy. Before Roe v. Wade was overturned I did not understand much about abortion and realized I had a lot to learn. For example, I did not know that when a woman has a miscarriage they often need an abortion for medical reasons for the woman’s health. Now I have met many women who had to have an abortion for their health and to allow them to have children in the future.

By putting reproductive rights into the Maine Constitution we will be showing we care about the health of all Mainers because men are also affected by reproductive rights. For instance, six out of 10 abortions involve people who already have children. This means men are also often involved in deciding if abortion is the best option for their family, as well as their partner’s health. Women, men and LGBTQ+ Maine people should be able to have the freedom to decide reproductive decisions for themselves and their families, not the government.

I am making this request of you for all the women and men I have known whose babies were not going to survive and the women who had to have an abortion for her health. I am also writing for reproductive rights for the girls and women who have been raped and impregnated because it should be their decision on whether to keep their baby, not the government’s or people who don’t even know them.

If no action is taken women will die when an abortion could have saved their life. We should be focusing on expanding health care rights for Mainers, not limiting reproductive access.

Dana Leeper

Hallowell

Copy the Story Link