Troy Jackson, gubernatorial candidate and former Maine Senate President, has long been a clear and steadfast defendant of reproductive healthcare and reproductive rights.

He received scorecard ratings of 100% from Planned Parenthood for at least seven consecutive years (2018-2024) — earned by having voted in support of reproductive care on every single bill that came before the legislature.

Because of Troy Jackson’s bill LD 1954, enacted in 2022, Maine requires all state-regulated health care plans to cover all prescription contraceptive medications approved by the FDA at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. As Senate President, Jackson got this passed with rare bipartisan support: 18 Democratic, 11 Republican, and 1 Independent legislators voted in favor.  This demonstrates his ability to obtain support across party lines on even the most controversial and divisive issues. 

Along with current State Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross, Jackson was a principal sponsor of LD 1619 which launched Maine into national headlines for enacting one of the most progressive abortion rights bills in the U.S. in 2023 right after Roe v. Wade was undone by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

During Jackson’s tenure in the legislature, he was a consistent advocate for reproductive and sexual health. He did so by rejecting numerous bills aimed at undermining access to abortion in Maine, supported ensuring safe entry and access for people seeking health care including reproductive care, supported addressing inequities in MaineCare payments to sexual and reproductive health care providers, and more.

Troy’s gubernatorial platform states, “For too long, funding for family planning services has remained stagnant. With widespread attacks on reproductive freedom, access to quality, affordable reproductive care across Maine is more important than ever. It’s time to fund family planning services sustainably so access to care isn’t in jeopardy every two years.” In his recent profile in Maine Public, Troy reiterated his support of Medicare for All and a public option for Maine, including specifically the urgency of reducing the costs of prescription drugs and protecting access to reproductive care. Just like us, Troy Jackson believes healthcare is a human right.

Troy Jackson has shown consistent and gutsy willingness to go out on a limb to protect reproductive justice for Mainers and no less so when faced with an intensely hostile Supreme Court and presidential administration. He’s never been afraid to do the right thing for the people of Maine. As healthcare workers and as women, this is just one of many reasons we unequivocably support Troy Jackson for Governor.

Carla White, MPH, is a former midwife and now a Nursing Assistant in home hospice. She lives in South Thomaston.
Erin Oberson, RN, is a Labor and Delivery nurse and a member of the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses United. She lives in Old Town.