Sen. Lawrence earns perfect score for voting record on reproductive rights

AUGUSTA – Sen. Mark Lawrence, D-Eliot, earned a perfect score from Planned Parenthood Maine for votes to protect reproductive rights and improve access to health care. Sen. Lawrence is one of 21 senators to earn a perfect score for their 2021-2022 voting record.

“I am proud of the Senate Democrats for receiving a perfect score from Planned Parenthood Maine, as we believe that all people should have safe access to abortion resources and have their freedom of choice unimpeded,” said Sen. Lawrence. “I remain committed to protecting reproductive freedoms and defending the right to abortion access at it comes under attack.”

Planned Parenthood scored Maine legislators on their votes on nine bills, including six anti-abortion bills. This year, the Legislature passed a new law that requires state-regulated health insurance plans to cover contraceptives that best meet a patient’s health needs as determined by the patient and their trusted health care professional. Lawmakers also took action to better protect patient safety when accessing care.   

In recent months, there have been an unprecedented number of attacks on abortion access around the country, including several states that have enacted near-total bans on abortion without exception for rape or incest. With the Supreme Court expected to repeal Roe v. Wade, as indicated in the leaked draft opinion last month, the responsibility to protect abortion access will fall to state legislatures. In Maine, Democratic lawmakers have blocked the passage of extreme anti-abortion laws, similar to laws that have already been adopted in other states. Every Democrat in the Maine Senate received a 100 percent score from Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and other health care services, including abortion care, immunizations and cancer screenings.

The complete Maine Senate legislative scorecard can be found here.

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