Letter to the editor: Say no to 'Let Mom Die' laws

“Let Mom Die” laws have become the norm among Republican legislatures. Under the leadership of Sen. Kim Ward, and the support of Reps. Eric Nelson, Leslie Rossi, Jason Silvis and others, our Republican-led Legislature has set the stage where Pennsylvania could be next.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Doug Mastriano has said he favors a ban on abortion with no exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the mother. He would criminalize women who have abortions and doctors who perform them, even under circumstances where the mother will die or when the fetus is dead or non-viable.

Bans envisioned by Mastriano and state Republicans are fundamentally Let Mom Die laws. Doctors and hospitals struggle to understand how close to death must a woman be before they can perform a lifesaving abortion without going to jail.

Wisconsin criminalizes any abortion after the point of fertilization. Doctors in Alabama, Kentucky and Florida face criminal penalties up to life in prison. Is Pennsylvania next?

Maternal mortality will increase by more than 24%. But apparently that’s OK with state Republicans.

Your vote in November is more critical than ever.

Say no to Let Mom Die laws. Women’s lives depend on it.

Michael Pardus

Penn Township, Westmoreland County