Maggie Hassan is a better choice to be our Senator

As a practicing Obstetrician Gynecologist for over 34 years I am disappointed with Kelly Ayotte’s persistent attempts to limit access by the women of NH to affordable medical services including contraception, cancer detection, breast exams and STD prevention. She has consistently voted to limit funding of Planned Parenthood, an important provider of healthcare to many poor and uninsured women. She has also supported amendments and laws to allow employers to opt out of contraception and other coverage they find objectionable. Voting in block with the Republicans she has attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act which has enabled millions of Americans to obtain essential preventative services.

It is time for Ayotte and her fellow Republicans to stop trying to force their way into decisions that should only be made between a woman and her doctor. Despite their continued attacks on women’s healthcare, the Guttmacher Institute recently reported the rate of abortions in this country are plummeting as have unintended pregnancies, while birth rates have stayed stable. These changes are more than likely due to readily available and affordable contraception.

When voters go to the polls next November they should hold Ayotte accountable for her repeated attempts to undermine women’s health and put additional economic burdens on women and families as a result of a purely partisan crusade.