A majority of Maine state lawmakers today advanced a bill aimed at ensuring Mainers’ continued access to essential reproductive health care. In an 21 – 13 vote, elected leaders who voted to pass the measure affirmed their support for Mainers’ access to birth control, cancer screening, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and more.  The vote comes just over two weeks afer the Trump administration announced its withholding federal funding for similar care services in states across the country, including Maine.

Sponsored by Pierce and all of the legislature’s Democratic leadership, LD 143, proposed $6.18 million in funding for the network that includes more than 60 service sites telehealth services and a mobile health unit.  This network of providers serves tens of thousands of patients every year, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.  LD 143 does not propose funding for abortion care.  Since the US Supreme Court revoked federal protection for abortion in June 2022, Maine voters have twice elected a reproductive rights majority to the statehouse.

“The majority vote in the Maine State Senate today to advance LD 143 is a beacon of hope in the national storm, as Mainers face a torrent of attacks on our rights and access to essential health care, particularly in recent months,” said Lisa Margulies, Esq., Vice President of Public Affiars, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund.  She continued:  “……………While certain politicians at state and federal levels continue their attack on Mainers’ access to essential, life saving care, 21 State Senators who voted to pass LD 143 today have acted to preserve access to care now and into the future.  We are grateful to our elected leaders in the Senate who understand how critical this funding is to the state’s public health infrastructure and their constituents health and wellbeing.  We look forward to the House vote on this bill and to seeing Maine lawmakers prioritize healthcare in the state’s budget,” Ms. Margulies concluded.