Healthcare (Women's Health)

passed both · Maine · House Apr 8, 2026

HP 1517: Joint Resolution Recognizing The American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists On The Occasion Of Its 75Th Anniversary

This joint resolution formally recognizes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. It highlights the organization's role in representing over 62,000 health care professionals nationwide, including 217 members in Maine who provide obstetric and gynecologic care. The bill commends the college for its efforts to improve maternal health and protect patient access to care. Finally, it directs that an authenticated copy of the resolution be sent to the organization as a gesture of appreciation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill commends a medical organization for improving maternal health and protecting patient access to care, aligning with healthcare support indicators.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 2189: An Act To Require Prior Notification Of Closures Of Labor And Delivery Units And Changes In Maternity Or Newborn Care Services By Hospitals As Recommended By The Commission To Evaluate The Scope Of Regulatory Review And Oversight Over Health Care Transactions That Impact The Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State

This Maine bill requires hospitals to submit a formal notice to the state department at least 120 days before closing labor and delivery units or changing the level of maternity and newborn care services. The notification must include the effective date, reasons for the change, contact information, and details on how the hospital will handle emergency obstetric care. Hospitals must also document their efforts to notify surrounding facilities within 50 miles, local emergency services, affected patients, and the general public. These provisions are designed to ensure transparency and allow communities adequate time to prepare for changes in essential healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill mandates prior notification for closing labor and delivery units to ensure continuity of care and protect patient access to essential maternity services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 887: An Act To Make Manufacturers Responsible For Proper Disposal Of Abortion Drugs And Require A Health Care Provider To Be Physically Present During A Chemical Abortion

LD 887 requires health care providers to be physically present during chemical abortions, including examining the patient, scheduling a follow-up within 7 days, and providing a labeled catch kit and medical waste bag for proper disposal. It makes manufacturers of abortion drugs liable for the proper disposal of the drugs and cleanup if endocrine disruptors (chemicals interfering with hormones) are found in wastewater, imposing $20,000 civil penalties for violations. The bill directly affects providers prescribing abortion drugs, manufacturers of these drugs, and patients receiving chemical abortions. Exceptions apply only for life-threatening medical emergencies. This bill does not change the legal status of abortion but adds specific procedural and disposal requirements.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access by requiring provider presence during chemical abortions, limiting patient options for medication abortion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2025

LD 1028: Resolve, To Establish The Task Force To Study Equitable Access To Maternal Health Care And Birthing Facilities

LD 1028 establishes a task force to study equitable access to maternal health care and birthing facilities in Maine. The task force will analyze past closures of maternal health services, current access barriers for vulnerable populations (including rural residents, people of color, and low-income individuals), and methods to improve financial investment and access. It must submit a report with findings and recommendations by January 6, 2026, to the Health and Human Services Committee, which may propose new legislation based on the report. This bill focuses on gathering data to inform future policy decisions, not on implementing immediate changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes task force to study and improve equitable maternal health care access, addressing barriers for vulnerable populations to enhance healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 1154: An Act To Require That Informed Consent For Abortion Include Information On Perinatal Hospice

LD 1154 requires healthcare providers to inform women seeking an abortion for a fetus diagnosed with a lethal fetal anomaly (a condition likely to cause the baby's death within three months after birth) about perinatal hospice services as part of the informed consent process. Providers must discuss these services in person at least 24 hours before the procedure and provide a written list of available perinatal hospice providers, which the state will maintain. If the woman declines hospice services and chooses to proceed with the abortion, she must sign a written certification confirming her decision. This requirement does not apply in cases of medical emergencies or for abortions related to ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous miscarriage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to discuss perinatal hospice services as part of informed consent, improving patient access to health service information and protecting healthcare decision rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 1007: An Act To Update The State'S Informed Consent Laws Regarding Drug-Induced Abortion

LD 1007 requires healthcare professionals in Maine to provide specific information during informed consent for drug-induced abortions. It mandates that providers inform patients about the potential for reversal if they change their mind (noting time sensitivity), and that initial studies suggest no increased maternal mortality or birth defect risks from reversal. Providers must also give patients a written statement with a website and helpline number (to be updated annually by the Department of Health) for information on abortion pill reversal services. This bill directly affects women seeking drug-induced abortions and their healthcare providers in Maine.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates informed consent requirements for abortion care, protecting patient rights in healthcare services per Maine's healthcare policy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 886: An Act To Regulate Medication Abortions

LD 886 regulates medication abortions in Maine by requiring in-person consultations and prescriptions from licensed health care professionals. It prohibits purchasing or obtaining medication abortion drugs online and mandates that providers explain the process, expected experiences, physical/emotional/spiritual risks, and potential reversal options to patients. The bill directly affects individuals seeking medication abortions and the health care professionals who provide them. These provisions aim to standardize access and information for medication abortions under Maine law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts medication abortion access via in-person mandates and online purchase bans, limiting patient options and provider flexibility per bill's prohibitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 10, 2025

LD 682: An Act To Amend Certain Laws Regarding Abortions

LD 682 requires healthcare providers to report abortion procedures to Maine's Department of Health and Human Services, including patient demographics like race, marital status, and education level, as specified by national public health standards. It changes the standard for abortions after fetal viability to allow them only when medically necessary to preserve the mother's life or health, or when a fetus has a "lethal fetal anomaly" (a condition likely to cause the baby's death within three months after birth). The bill reinstates criminal penalties for unlicensed individuals performing abortions or assisting unlicensed providers, and clarifies that only licensed physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice nurses may perform abortions. These changes directly affect abortion providers, patients receiving care, and state health data collection.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access after viability and imposes mandatory reporting, limiting patient access to reproductive healthcare services per defined standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 975: An Act To Repeal Laws Allowing Abortion And To Criminalize Abortion

LD 975 would repeal Maine's current laws permitting abortion and criminalize the procedure by defining "human being" to include a person from conception (Sec. 4). It directly affects individuals seeking abortion services and healthcare providers offering them, making abortion a criminal offense under Maine law. The bill amends definitions to align with this criminalization, removing existing legal protections for abortion care. Key provisions include repealing prior abortion-related statutes (Secs. 1, 8, 9) and redefining terms to support criminal penalties for abortion procedures. This bill does not include exceptions for rape, incest, or medical emergencies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes abortion, expanding criminalization under Maine law per bill's explicit language and subject 'CRIMINALIZED'.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill criminalizes abortion, restricting access to reproductive healthcare services. Removes legal protections for abortion care, directly limiting patient access to a covered health service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 13, 2025

LD 380: An Act To Amend Certain Laws Regarding Gender-Affirming Health Care Services

LD 380 amends Maine's Address Confidentiality Program to include gender-affirming health care practitioners as eligible participants, expanding the program beyond its prior focus on reproductive health care. This allows practitioners to use a designated address for mail and legal purposes, keeping their personal address confidential to enhance safety. The bill repeals prior provisions that had limited eligibility to reproductive health care practitioners and updates the program to cover both reproductive and gender-affirming services. The change is administrative and does not regulate the provision of health care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands confidentiality protections for gender-affirming healthcare providers, improving access to specialized care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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