abortion

Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill into law this week, joining a handful of other states seeking to shield doctors from harassment and potential lawsuits.

The bill would allow providers to request that prescription labels for Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and their generics be printed with the name of the prescribing health care facility, rather than the clinician.

But the bill's $12 million price tag could be a challenge for lawmakers to cover given the state's budget constraints. And while the funding would not pay for abortions, Republicans were skeptical and accused Democrats of resisting efforts to make prohibition explicit.

Scores of new laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year took effect on Friday.

The court's decision to temporarily block federal regulations could allow more air pollution to drift into Maine while the ruling on abortion was criticized by Democratic leaders.

On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that seeks to limit the use of a common medication used for abortion.

In dueling letters, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and his counterparts have each accused the other of attempting to intimidate policymakers in other states on laws dealing with gender-affirming care and abortion.

While abortion rights supporters believe Maine voters would approve the amendment, they have to shepherd it through the Legislature first. And that will be a challenge in the face of Republican opposition.

Abortion opponents say they won't pursue a people's veto campaign to overturn a controversial new state law but will, instead, focus on getting more like-minded legislators elected next year.

Leaders of two groups opposed to a bill allowing abortions later in a pregnancy say they are still discussing whether to challenge the law at the ballot box.