In case you missed it, Senator Maggie Hassan hosted a reproductive rights discussion in Manchester on Friday, where she spoke to New Hampshire health care providers about the threat of a national abortion ban and the impact it would have on both patients and providers. Read coverage highlights from Manchester Ink Link below:
Manchester Ink Link: Hassan and local doctors express concern over attacks on reproductive rights
By Andrew Sylvia
The panelists, specialists in women’s health, shared various stories and insights over women who face difficult decisions regarding abortion and other reproductive health issues, including instances where the life of a woman is at risk.
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The panel also expressed frustration with the actions of elected officials not familiar with medical procedures inserting their perspectives into difficult and personal reproductive choices faced by women, ranging from abortion to contraception and family planning.
Valant said the creeping fear of a national ban on abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court has led to a chilling effect on the ability of doctors and patients to be honest with each other, with Pariser adding that fear won’t stop with abortion.
“When rights are taken away, then there are other rights continue to be taken away,” said Pariser. “This is only the beginning.”
The panel also agreed that abortion bans would not actually stop abortions, but send them underground, making the procedures more dangerous and more expensive for women.
Hassan told the panel and the audience that she would fight for reproductive rights as long as she is a U.S. Senator and exhorted to the crowd that there will be difficult work ahead to protect abortion rights in the near future.
Hassan also criticized the New Hampshire Executive Council for their efforts to try and defund Planned Parenthood over the last two years and took several shots at her opponent, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Don Bolduc.
She referred to Bolduc’s comments praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision and doubling down on comments that women should “get over” that decision, adding that Bolduc has attempted to hide other extreme stances since he became the Republican nominee.
For Hassan, the issue over abortion is actually about whether women should be treated as adults who can make decisions for themselves. While she said that Bolduc has made it clear where he stands, she asked the audience to ask every Republican candidate they meet where they stand on the topic. She also expressed the hope that at one point this issue can become a non-issue.
“There was once bipartisan support for the right of women to make these critical life and health decisions for themselves,” said Hassan. “I would look forward to the day when it becomes a bipartisan or nonpartisan issue again.”