Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Missouri, Virginia, And Nevada Voters Preserve Abortion Rights; Idaho Keeps Ban
The Hill: Missouri Voters Reject Measure To Reinstate Near-Total Abortion Ban
Missouri voted to protect abortion access Tuesday, Decision Desk HQ projects, narrowly rejecting a ballot measure that would have reinstated a near-total abortion ban just two years after it was overturned. Missouri in 2024 became the first state to use a ballot measure to overturn a near-total abortion ban and put a reproductive freedom amendment in the state constitution. That measure, also called Amendment 3, was approved by a narrow 51.6 percent majority. Nearly 54 percent of voters rejected the measure, with 15 percent of the vote reported. (Weixel, 11/4)
The Hill: Abortion And Fertility Care Secured In Virginia Vote
Virginia voters passed a “reproductive freedom” ballot measure Tuesday, enshrining current protections — including abortion — into the state constitution, Decision Desk HQ projects. The amendment puts protections for abortion, birth control, and in-vitro fertilization into the state constitution. It also protects fertility care, pregnancy-related care, and miscarriage care. (Weixel, 11/4)
The Hill: Nevada Voters Back Abortion Rights Ballot Measure Second Election In A Row
Nevada voters have approved a ballot measure protecting abortion up to the point of viability, officially adding the protection to the state constitution, Decision Desk HQ has projected. The measure allows the state to enact restrictions after viability is reached, which is usually around the 24-week mark, except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother. It is projected to pass with 63 percent support, with 70 percent of the vote reported early Wednesday. (Gans, 11/4)
A loss for reproductive rights in Idaho —
NBC News: Idaho Voters Reject Abortion Ballot Measure, Preserving State Ban
Voters have rejected an Idaho ballot measure that would have codified the right to an abortion up until fetal viability, NBC News projects. The move preserves Idaho’s abortion ban, which went into effect in 2022 following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed abortion rights nationally. (Zola, 11/4)
Idaho Statesman: A ‘Gutting’ Loss: Idaho’s Prop 1 On Abortion Access Falls By Wide Margin
“This is a tremendous, frankly gutting, loss, especially for the women, families and physicians of Idaho,” Melanie Folwell, the executive director of the organization that got Prop 1 on the ballot, said in a news release. “For a state that claims to distrust big government, there is no greater hypocrisy than keeping politicians in the exam room.” (Cutler, 11/4)
