To the Editor:

As a nurse and a private citizen, I was shocked when I heard that Governor Mills wants to expand the current abortion law. She broke her clear campaign promise she made that she would leave the law as it currently stands: abortion is allowed up to the point of viability (24-26 weeks) but only after the point of viability when medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.

The proposed bill LD 1619 will remove that restriction and allow abortion for any reason, for any time, up to birth. Right now, a wanted premature baby is medically given care until strong enough to go home with their mother. But this law will allow for that same-aged baby who is unwanted to be killed.

I know this is an emotionally charged issue, but late-term abortion is barbaric. Killing an innocent child who has the capacity to survive outside the mother is not something the majority of Mainers want.

LD 1619 is simply too extreme. We need to be a state that helps mothers in need so they can carry their babies to full term to keep or make the courageous decision to choose adoption. Maine can do better than offer late-term abortion as the only solution to a desperate mother.

Kelly Danielson

Buckfield