Anti-abortion politicians will not stop at their own state borders. They have made it clear that they will attempt to criminalize and ban abortion care in all 50 states. LD 616 would protect providers in Maine from retaliation for providing safe, legal abortion care.
LD 616 would strengthen protections for healthcare providers so they could offer care to people traveling to Maine for abortion care safely, without threats to their ability to practice medicine. This proposal is consistent with Governor Mills’ 2022 executive order protecting patients traveling to Maine from states with abortion bans to legally access abortion. It is necessary in the wake of continuing efforts to restrict self-managed abortions and interstate travel for abortion care.
This bill specifically addresses the potential for malpractice insurers to take adverse action against healthcare providers who provide abortion care. It would prohibit malpractice insurers from taking adverse action including raising rates, assessing fines or revoking licensure from providers who provide legal abortion care. Since The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, provider protections have been a topic of concern across the U.S. and within the healthcare industry.
BILL MOVEMENT:
- Bill introduced: 2/14/23
- Referred to Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services: 3/7/23
- Public Hearing in Committee: 5/1/23
- Work Session and Vote in Committee: Scheduled for 5/10/23
- Passed House of Representatives: N/A
- Passed Senate: N/A
- Action by Governor: N/A
