I sent a message to our state Senator last week after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He’s not been responsive to my messages in the past, so I’m not surprised at his lack of response to this, either. However, it’s critical that every one of us understand the gravity of the issues around reproductive choice and question all their elected officials and candidates about their stance on these matters. The following is just a sample of the kinds of questions they should be prepared to address.

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June 24, 2022

Sen. Avard:

I have some questions regarding your stance on the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision and how you want the New Hampshire Legislature to address the issue of reproductive freedom, now that the question has been given back to states. I see on your Legiscan profile you identify as “100% pro-life,” and on the nh.gov website that you supported new abortion restrictions, including state-mandated ultrasound examinations.

My questions:

• Do you plan to introduce bills to further limit or outlaw abortion rights in NH if re-elected?

• If so, will legislation include requirements that fathers assume financial responsibility for their developing fetuses?

• If there’s a dispute about the fetus’s paternity, will the man be required to take a blood test or otherwise verify he is not the father?

• If paternity can’t be established, since the state decided that the fetus must be carried to term, is it then the state’s responsibility to pay its share of prenatal care, medical expenses incurred with child birth, and child support post-partum?

• If the fetus does not survive to term, and the law forbids medical attention to help expel their remains, will the state pay funeral expenses when the mother dies of sepsis?

• If a fetus is born with catastrophic malformations like anencephaly because abortions are totally outlawed, will the state pay funeral expenses if they die shortly after birth, or long-term care costs if they live longer?

These are all serious questions, representing the real-world circumstances New Hampshire women are presently free to evaluate and discuss with loved ones and medical professionals. If the state takes that liberty away from individuals, it has an obligation to come up with answers.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Jean Lewandowski

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