ACLU Applauds Measures to Protect Reproductive Rights in Maine

PORTLAND – Anti-choice activists have failed to collect enough signatures to force a vote on repealing new Maine laws that expand access to abortion care. The laws go into effect September 18.

LD 820 requires that all insurance coverage – public and private – that includes prenatal care also include abortion care. LD 1261, ends a ban on qualified nurse practitioners and other advanced practice clinicians (APCs) providing abortion care throughout the state. Both of these laws will help ensure that all Mainers can access abortion care in their communities, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.

The ACLU of Maine previously filed lawsuits challenging Maine’s laws banning Medicaid coverage of abortion care and blocking APCs from performing abortions. Both lawsuits were put on hold as a result of the legislative victories.

The following can be attributed to Alison Beyea, executive director of the ACLU of Maine:

“While anti-choice politicians around the nation are passing laws to chip away at our rights, Maine is moving forward toward a more just and equitable state. These new laws affirm that abortion is health care and that everyone should have access to the health care they need, regardless of where they live or how much money they make. And Mainers know that if we really want to protect people, we should be expanding access to health care, not taking it away. The ACLU and our partners will never stop working to protect these rights and to make sure we never go back.”