As a proud Granite Stater who supports freedom in medical decisions, I’m shocked that Governor Sununu’s abortion ban criminalizes doctors just for doing their job. New Hampshire has some of the best doctors in the world who want to provide high-quality care for their patients. The New Hampshire Legislature needs to act now and restore patient-provider relationships by passing SB399 and fully repealing Gov. Sununu’s abortion ban.

Not only does this new law ban abortion at or after 24 weeks gestation, with almost no exceptions – it contains an ultrasound mandate that affects providers’ ability to deliver patient-centered, trauma-informed care. While ultrasounds are performed in some circumstances, they may be medically unnecessary for some and can add emotional and financial burdens.

Every pregnancy is unique. Many fatal fetal diagnoses aren’t discovered until later in pregnancy. It is critical that pregnant people in these complex situations have access to the health care they need in New Hampshire, without being forced out of state. Unfortunately, New Hampshire restricts that care and enables criminal penalties and civil actions against medical providers who are literally saving lives. A doctor should always be acting in the best interest of their patient, not their elected officials and Governor Sununu, who claims to be pro-choice.

I am urging the New Hampshire Senate to support SB 399 and repeal Governor Sununu’s abortion ban and ultrasound mandate so health care providers can work with their patients and do their jobs to achieve the best possible outcomes for all Granite Staters.