To the editor:

The different positions held by these two candidates potentially has enormous consequences for women and their families in New York and across the country.

Comparison of Stefanik and Castelli on Reproductive Rights:

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Rep. Elise Stefanik

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¯ Elise Stefanik has a history of NOT supporting women’s reproductive rights and of making inflammatory, misleading and frankly dishonest statements about the bills she has opposed.

¯ On July 21, she voted against the Right to Contraception Act (H.R.8373), a bill which guarantees a woman’s right to access and use contraception.

¯ On Sept. 24, 2021, she voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R.3755) that gives health care providers the right to provide abortion services and a patient to receive those services.

¯ On July 15, she voted against a newer edition of the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 8296) and on the same day voted against Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022 (H.R.8297) that would prohibit any person acting under state law where abortions are banned from interfering with a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services.

¯ On Sept. 15, she co-sponsored a bill calling for a national abortion ban at 15 weeks. Many Republicans view this as a first step to a total national abortion ban.

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Matt Castelli

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¯ Matt Castelli wants to Protect and Expand Reproductive Rights as described in his website:

¯ He would vote “yes” on the Women’s Health Protection Act to allow providers to perform abortions.

¯ He would support repealing the Hyde Amendment, which blocks abortion coverage for women under federally funded health care programs like Medicaid, the VA and the Indian Health Service.

¯ He would support the use of mail order medication, including drugs used for medication abortions.

¯ He would support the right for interstate travel to obtain abortion services and protect abortion providers from state interference in their practice.

¯ He would support legislation which protects personal data on reproductive health apps and legislation which would prohibit abortion restrictions on private insurance.

Stefanik has voted to restrict reproductive rights, Castelli will fight to maintain the hard fought rights that have been held for decades and supported by a large majority of people across the country.

Kathy Daggett

Saranac Lake