Sen. Pierce introduces key legislation to protect access to essential health care, reproductive care services
AUGUSTA — On March 10, 2025, Maine Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, introduced LD 143, An Act to Improve Women’s Health and Economic Security by Funding Family Planning Services, in a public hearing before the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
“This bill is our opportunity — our obligation — to continue to defend and protect Mainers’ access to this critical health care, and an opportunity to make sure we do not lose sight of the fact that it is our duty as lawmakers here in Augusta to ensure everyone has access to the basic health care they need to thrive,” said Sen. Pierce. “I’m dedicated to advocating for our providers, their patients and the funding they need to provide quality care across the state to our most vulnerable neighbors.”
In the public hearing, Mainers testified in favor of defending access to fundamental health care services, such as birth control, cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, wellness visits, vaccinations, and behavioral health services.
“I could easily end up in a position where I can’t afford a health insurance policy, and might be forced to forgo not only future IUD replacements, but also critical healthcare procedures such as my regular wellness exams, gynecological exams and cancer screenings in order to be able to buy groceries and make my student loan payments on time,” said Rachel Faith of Milbridge in written testimony to the Committee. “When faced with these uncertainties, it is a comfort to know that Maine has a family planning care network to turn to when times are tough.”
The Maine Family Planning network serves more than 31,000 patients annually, 70% of whom qualified for free or reduced cost care in 2023. It also provides care to anyone who needs it, regardless of ability to pay. Services are offered in 10 Maine counties: Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Penobscot, Aroostook, Washington, Hancock, Waldo, Lincoln and Kennebec.
LD 143 allocates $6.18 million in grant funding over the next biennium to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide management and oversight of the delivery of family planning services. The bill also establishes within the department the Fund to Maintain Access to Statewide Family Planning Services. Funding from LD 143 would not go to abortion care.
LD 143 faces further action in committee. You can follow this bill by clicking here.
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