MAINE SENATE DEFEATS ABORTION “TRAP” BILL

GOP sponsored measure attempted to restrict safe, legal abortions

AUGUSTA – A measure that attempts to restrict access to safe, legal abortion was defeated in the Senate today garnering bipartisan support with a vote of 21 to 14.

The bill, LD 1312, “An Act To License Outpatient Surgical Abortion Facilities” mimics legislation in Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi, where safe and legal abortions would be restricted through the creation of rules and regulations of targeted medical facilities.  In Maine, the measure would apply to Planned Parenthood, Mabel Wadsworth and the Maine Family Planning Association.

Sen. Chris Johnson of Somerville

“This bill was written by politicians for a political agenda not medical professionals,” said Democratic State Senator Chris Johnson of Somerville, who serves on the state’s Judiciary Committee. “Furthermore, it does nothing to ensure safety, and everything to restrict access to safe and legal reproductive health care.”

According to data from the CDC,  abortion has over a 99 percent safety record. Studies show women experience complications less than 1 percent of the time. In those rare cases when complications do occur, they are similar to those that may occur from miscarriage, which physicians treat every day.

The Maine Medical Association and Maine Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists oppose the measure.

Senator Cathy Breen of Falmouth

“This bill will not help the safety of women. Instead, it further places government in the middle of a medical decision between a woman and her medical provider,” said Democratic State Senator Cathy Breen of Falmouth.

The House rejected the bill in a vote of 84 to 65. The measure is now dead.