Dear Editor:
As we mark the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, it is important to understand the serious dangers this ruling has posed to women of reproductive age across the United States.

Since the reversal of Roe v. Wade, 14 states have enacted near-total bans on abortion, with several others imposing severe restrictions. These bans have created a patchwork of access that leaves many women without essential reproductive healthcare. The most alarming consequence is the threat to women's health and lives. Pregnant women experiencing complications now face delays in care or are forced to continue pregnancies against their will, which can lead to severe health outcomes or even death.

The medical community has raised serious concerns about the implications of these restrictive laws. Doctors report being unable to provide timely and necessary care due to fear of legal repercussions, even when a woman's life is at risk. This has resulted in tragic cases where women suffer severe infections, hemorrhaging, or other life-threatening conditions because their healthcare providers are legally constrained from intervening until the situation becomes dire.

As a grandmother and member of the organization Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, I must alert readers that the horrors of what my generation of women experienced is happening again. There is even talk among some conservative legislators of banning contraception. I remember when the contraceptive pill first became legal, and how it liberated women to decide their own futures. The right to make decisions about one's own body is fundamental to personal autonomy and dignity. The erosion of this right undermines women's status as equal citizens.

It is essential that we advocate for policies that protect women's health and rights, and vote for like-minded political leaders. The anniversary of this ruling should serve as a call to action for lawmakers, healthcare providers, and citizens to work towards ensuring that all women have access to safe, legal, and compassionate reproductive care.

Wendy Ross

Wiscasset