A new law takes effect today that shields Maine’s providers of reproductive care and health care for transgender people from attacks based on other states’ laws.

Maine joins at least 17 other states and Washington, DC in enacting this type of law to protect medical experts who provide safe, legal, essential health care amidst a barrage of ongoing and increasing attacks on abortion and related care as well as medical care for transgender and non-binary people.

LD 227 takes effect just months after the US Supreme Court opined on two politically motivated cases that seek to restrict access to abortion care through medication abortion and emergency medical care respectively.  The Court has agreed to hear a case next term on whether state bans in medical care for transgender adolescents violate the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution.

“Maine continues to lead the nation in protecting safe, legal essential health care from extremists attacks.  We are grateful to Maine lawmakers who endured threats of violence, abhorent political rhetoric and rampant lies and moved to protect safe, legal, medical care in Maine.  We thank Governor Mills for signing LD 227 into law..” said Lisa Margulies, Esq., Vice President of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund.j

“The dour Trump said today that abortion is no longer a factor in this election.  He wishes that were true.  But, he is so wrong – so very wrong –  based on the interest in this post alone,” said this blogger.  “What a tragic situation Trump has created.  We won’t go back.”