Sen. Coghill is on thin ice with his SB49 in his attempt to define “medically necessary.” He puts Alaskan women — actually all Alaskans — at great risk. Is he practicing medicine without a medical license?

Extensive laws are already in place related to financial compensation for Medicaid procedures including who pays if abortion is considered. Professional health care clinicians (MD, NP, DO, PA) are educated, have the clinical experience and are vastly more qualified to define “medically necessary” than a bunch of politicians!

— Mary Margaret Hillstrand

Anchorage