I write in rebuttal to Diana O’Brien’s letter, “Maine lawmakers should oppose late-term abortions” (Feb. 15).

Ms. O’Brien stated that “There is now a bill legislators are trying to pass, to make it OK to abort a full-term child, with the approval of a qualified medical professional.” In fact, four reproductive related bills — and not just one — are currently being sponsored in the 131st Legislature: LR6, LR907, LR2109, and another sponsored by the Gov. Janet Mills that might ultimately codify a woman’s choice in the state Constitution.

The recent article “Gov. Mills to introduce legislation to expand access to abortion throughout pregnancy” mentions abortion statistics cited by Nicole Clegg, of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, that out of about 2,000 terminated pregnancies in Maine last year, which Ms. O’Brien calls babies that “lost their lives through abortion,” 90 percent were performed before 12 weeks of gestation, and a dozen (0.006% ), were “late term” surgical abortions, almost entirely performed because of incidence of fetal anomalies or rape and incest detected late in those tragic cases.

These statistics show clearly that those who would have us believe that second- and third-trimester abortions are the norm, and not a rarity overall, are themselves deceived.

Nor is proposed legislation in any way germane to Ms.O’Brien’s cryptic question, “Who will be next — the sick or elderly?”

Jon St. Laurent, Lovell

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