tr?id=&ev=PageView&noscript=

Op-ed: Gov. Ayotte Must Act To Protect Abortion Access

Op-ed: Gov. Ayotte Must Act To Protect Abortion Access

Concord, NH - January 9: New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte is inaugurated for her first term. (Photo by Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

By Kayla Montgomery

January 15, 2025

Overwhelmingly, Granite Staters trust women to make their own personal health care decisions.

At the dawn of a New Year, Granite Staters are now asking: can we count on Kelly Ayotte to protect our rights?

As a candidate, Ayotte said we could. She was on our televisions, phones, and in our mailboxes pledging to block any effort to change New Hampshire’s abortion laws. Now, members of Ayotte’s own party in New Hampshire have already filed numerous anti-abortion bills and the incoming presidential administration has vowed to defund reproductive health centers like Planned Parenthood.

We are counting on Kelly Ayotte to put her campaign words into action – and prove she’s willing to put public health above politics to deliver for the people of New Hampshire.

It is not enough to hope so. As Ayotte enters office, Granite Staters must take our own oath – to use our collective voice to keep the protection of our rights front and center in the political discourse. In 2025, we must be unified in our efforts to not only stop additional abortion restrictions but to safeguard Granite Staters’ right to privacy and to make their own health care decisions.

I’m not going to lie – the cards are stacked against us. While our state has a proud, bipartisan history of supporting access to safe, legal abortion, we are the only New England state without explicit state or constitutional protections for abortion rights.

Ayotte’s past record on abortion rights raises legitimate concerns: she voted for a national abortion ban and repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood health centers. Still, leaders’ positions can evolve, and individuals can change their minds. Many elected leaders have moved in their views on abortion. There are plenty of Republican leaders to look to as an example who have proudly supported reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood’s ability to provide health care – including here in New England, like Vermont Governor Scott.

Granite Staters are depending on Governor Ayotte to keep her word to protect our rights and access to health care, a campaign promise is a promise nonetheless. Now in office, she has the power to act.

First, Governor Ayotte must block any effort to further restrict abortion access in New Hampshire. Whether proposals to further ban or restrict abortion access are stand-alone bills or tucked into the state budget, Ayotte has a veto pen. Further, she must unequivocally and publicly oppose these efforts and make it clear that she will stand by her word.

Governor Ayotte should work with state lawmakers to enshrine abortion rights. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe eliminated the only protections for abortion rights that Granite Staters had. By supporting a state constitutional amendment or law that proactively protects reproductive rights, Governor Ayotte would make it clear that the Granite State respects the right of every person to make their own choices about their bodies, free from government interference.

Too many people in New Hampshire, especially in rural areas, struggle to get necessary health care services, including cancer screenings, contraception, and STI testing and treatment. As Governor, she can ensure that every Granite Stater gets the care they need, regardless of income or zip code, by supporting funding for reproductive health services – including contracts with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Lovering Health Center, and Equality Health Center, which serve the vast majority of New Hampshire’s family planning program patients. For too long, state contracts for family planning care has been used as political football. It’s time to put people first and fully fund comprehensive reproductive health care.

As governor, Kelly Ayotte has the opportunity to build a legacy beyond party lines that speaks to the fundamental values of freedom and autonomy for all Granite Staters. We at Planned Parenthood stand at the ready to make that vision a reality. She can improve our public health outcomes, create lasting protections for reproductive rights in New Hampshire, and defend access to the full range of reproductive health care.

Ayotte’s campaign promise to veto any further abortion restrictions was instrumental in her victory. Now, this is Governor Ayotte’s moment to lead.

Author

Related Stories
Share This