As two young women of Bowdoin College, we are very concerned about the future of reproductive rights in Maine. We are writing this letter to bring up the recent improved access to the abortion pill that was passed this legislative season. Maine Family Planning, based in Augusta, has recently instituted a system of “telemedicine,” where they will prescribe the abortion pill via webcam.

This is huge. We are proud to be the third state in the country (following Iowa and Minnesota) to institute such an effective and beneficial method of contraception. Sometimes women can’t easily obtain necessary medical attention as efficiently as they need to — especially if they live in northern Maine where receiving proper care often means driving long distances.

By allowing women to obtain the pill via webcam, they will no longer be faced with only two options: drive long distances to have an abortion, or have the child. Neither of these are desirable, which is why this system of telemedicine is such a positive step forward. Women won’t need to travel all the way to Bangor or Portland for the help they need as they will be able to get it at their regional clinic.

We hope that Maine will continue to take a progressive approach in regards to reproductive rights, especially contraception.

Jenna Scott and

Nicole Anthony,

Bowdoin College, Brunswick