Portsmouth Herald LTE | Elect leaders who support and protect reproductive rights
Nov. 13 − To the Editor:
This Monday, Lovering Health Center of Greenland, one of New Hampshire’s two independent sexual and reproductive health clinics, welcomed Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington for a tour of their facility and discussion on the importance of providing family planning programs for their patients. Over the past two years, the Executive Council, a five-person elected body that must approve state contracts over $10,000, has repeatedly defunded Lovering's family planning programs, with the sole vote in support of the clinics coming from Councilor Warmington. With the Executive Council expected to again vote on family planning contracts by the end of this year, Councilor Warmington wanted to see up close how the loss of funding has prevented New Hampshire patients from accessing low-cost, essential health care like birth control, annual exams, pregnancy tests, STI tests and treatment, and cancer screenings.
While Councilor Warmington traveled from another region of the state to express concern for the health and rights of our communities, Councilor Janet Stevens, who represents Lovering Health Center and the communities served by the Portsmouth Herald, has yet to step foot in the clinic in her own backyard. Despite several invites over the years, Councilor Stevens has continuously been a no-show—just like she’s been a no-show for the reproductive and sexual health needs of the Seacoast throughout her tenure.
Now, the residents of the greater Seacoast, and the whole of District 3, need to turn up the pressure on Councilor Stevens. Another vote to defund our reproductive health clinics would be devastating for the health of our Seacoast communities. We must recruit new leadership for the Seacoast who will show up to protect our clinics and the patients they serve. Let’s rally to support the future of the Lovering Health Center, and expect all our local elected leaders to do the same.
Christina Warriner
New Hampshire State Director of Reproductive Equity Now
Portsmouth