 Health Care |
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Ohio ballot vote paves way for action on abortion access |
A ballot measure that would have raised the threshold for passing future initiatives was voted down. A separate abortion access measure now needs a simple majority to pass this fall. |
If Issue 1 had passed in Ohio, the threshold for advancing future ballot measures would have been raised to 60 percent, as opposed to the 50 percent plus one that currently stands. Tuesday's vote itself only needed 50 percent plus one, but the measure was shot down, with 57 percent of voting against it.
Ohio abortion rights groups submitted signatures in July to have a state constitutional amendment added to the November ballot. If passed, the measure would require "a fundamental right to reproductive freedom" with "reasonable limits."
The vote on Tuesday was seen by many as a proxy vote over abortion access as opponents argued the push to raise the threshold for passing ballot measures was a direct attempt at preventing the abortion access measure from passing.
While the ballot measure was not technically about abortion, the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America spoke out against the results, calling it a "sad day for Ohio."
Though Ohioans voted against changing ballot measure rules, this does not necessarily guarantee that voters will vote in favor of enshrining abortion access into the Buckeye State's constitution in November.
A Scripps News/YouGov survey of Ohioans conducted in June found 42 percent agreed with further restrictions on abortion to some degree, while another 42 percent disagreed. The remaining 16 percent either did not agree or disagree or had no opinion.
However, 58 percent of participants in the same survey said they agreed with the proposed amendment to "safeguard personal autonomy on matters such as abortion, contraception, and fertility treatment."
Abortions in Ohio are prohibited after 22 weeks of pregnancy. The point of fetal viability is usually around 22 to 24 weeks.
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Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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