Woodward is the right choice for North Idaho

Idaho legislators, I am sorry you didn't think of this. You have created a situation where babies cannot be born in Bonner County. While you probably did not consider the repercussions of your "trigger law," you have caused hardship on families who just want to give birth to their children in the safest way possible.

"Trigger Law: a person in Idaho who performs an abortion may face 2-5 years of imprisonment." At Bonner General Health, no children are born now; our OBGYN staff have left the state, and most pediatricians are not available for infant resuscitation if needed for a birth. How sad for our community.

Now families must travel 40 minutes or more to Washington or Montana, and might stay for weeks, because of late-term issues affecting the health of mother and/or child. Abortion is illegal in Idaho, except for "protecting the 'life' of the mother in case of rape or incest." We need an amendment to protect the mother's "health."

Probably no lawmakers who changed this law thought about young families; or medical emergencies; or restricting physicians to practices that remove the chance for a family to have children in the future. Lawmakers' thoughts were about abortions; quash the ability to abort any child, anytime.

Republican Jim Woodward is needed back in the Senate. Jim is bright, aware, and will look at all aspects of issues for legislation. I will vote on May 21 for Jim. Our families depend on my vote and yours.

LYNN PIETZ

Sandpoint