Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com
In her Sept. 14 letter to the editor, Sandra Blanchette asks readers to name women who have died because of abortion laws. I will say the names of three women who died, listed on public record. There are many more.
Amber Thurman, 28 years old. Hospital staff delayed performing a D&C for 20 hours out of fear of violating Georgia’s abortion laws. She died from sepsis.
Porsha Ngumezi, 35 years old. She suffered severe hemorrhaging during a miscarriage. Despite critical blood loss, she was given medication instead of a D&C due to Texas law.
Josseli Barnica, 28 years old. Hospital staff waited 40 hours while monitoring a fetal heartbeat during a miscarriage. Staff told her terminating the nonviable pregnancy was a crime in Texas.
Maine currently has strong abortion protections because of strong Democratic leadership. In contrast, Sen. Susan Collins says she has been pro-choice. We all know she voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh. These justices formed part of the majority that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Troy Jackson evolved from an anti-abortion position early in his career to a leading champion for reproductive healthcare in Maine. For over a decade, he has fiercely defended reproductive rights. Troy Jackson has proven over and over that he will continue to defend reproductive rights.
Joyce Mallery
Bangor