Keirsten Balukas

Chair and Members of the Committee, My name is Keirsten Balukas, and I am a resident of Dover, New Hampshire. I respectfully oppose HB 1590. While presented as a technical change, HB 1590 would significantly restrict access to reproductive healthcare by lowering the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks. Later-term abortions are rare and typically involve serious medical complications or fetal anomalies that are often not detected until well into pregnancy. This bill would reduce the time available for diagnosis and force families to make rushed decisions during already traumatic circumstances. HB 1590 also introduces increased legal risk for healthcare providers, creating uncertainty and a chilling effect that may discourage doctors from providing medically necessary care. This threatens access to obstetric and gynecological services more broadly, particularly in a state that already faces provider shortages. New Hampshire’s current law reflects a long-standing balance that respects patient privacy, medical expertise, and limited government involvement. HB 1590 disrupts that balance and expands government intrusion into deeply personal medical decisions. For these reasons, I urge the committee to find HB 1590 Inexpedient to Legislate. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Keirsten Balukas Dover, NH