Republicans Block Amendment to Abortion Ballot Measure's Blue Book Language

Yesterday, Republicans on the Legislative Council voted along party lines to deny an amendment to the Blue Book language for Proposed Initiative 89, “Constitutional Right to Abortion,” which would have accurately reflected existing exemptions for abortion for publicly-funded health care plans.

The Legislative Council met to hear testimony before finalizing language for Colorado’s nonpartisan Ballot Information Booklet (which will also have a new number, but the title will remain the same). Following a 1984 amendment, the Colorado Constitution currently bans public funding for abortion services for Medicaid recipients, low-income individuals, and health insurance plans that are offered to state and local government employees. However, there are exceptions in federal and state law that allow Medicaid to pay for an abortion when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. There are currently no exceptions for abortion access for insurance plans that are offered to state and local government employees whose pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

The language [of the Blue Book] does not, however, state the exceptions for the second group or lack thereof — public employees,” said Jack Teter, the regional director of government affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. “Members, this isn’t partisan. There is currently no exemption for public employees who have been sexually assaulted, and the language should reflect that.”

Sen. Faith Winter (D-Westminster) introduced an amendment to include that language in the Blue Book. “This is about accuracy,” she said. “This is not about the feelings on this issue or this initiative, [but] ensuring that voters are correctly informed on what, currently, is happening. Right now, within the Blue Book, it says, ‘In 1984, Colorado’s Constitution banned public funding for abortion services. However, there are exemptions in federal and state law that allow Medicaid to pay for an abortion when the life of a pregnant woman is in danger or when the pregnancy is a result of incest. And that exemption also exists for state employees.’ This is clarifying that there’s no exceptions in federal or state law that allow health insurance plans that are offered to state and local government employees to pay for an abortion when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. So this isn’t to the meat of the amendment, but it’s an accurate description of what the current exception is.”




https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/09/republicans-block-amendment-to-abortion-ballot-measures-blue-book-language/64082/