Vote “Yes” on Proposition 1: the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act!
By Elton LK
Boise DSA is getting out the vote on Proposition 1 to restore a person’s ability to make decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, childbirth, miscarriage care, and prenatal and postpartum care in consultation with their healthcare provider. The measure would establish a right to abortion before fetal viability and after viability when a medical emergency requires it to protect the pregnant person’s life or health. It would also protect healthcare providers from criminal or civil liability based solely on providing reproductive healthcare permitted under the Act.
DSA’s Workers Deserve More program, which articulates DSA’s strategic priorities, aspires to “Guarantee universal healthcare at no cost to individuals, including complete access to reproductive and gender-affirming care. Expand healthcare access and quality by investing in new public hospitals and clinics. Make all medical education and training public and free.” Supporting Proposition 1 is an important step towards this horizon.
When Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade, Idaho law made access to quality healthcare for Idahoans more difficult, especially in rural parts of the state. Between August 2022 and December 2024 Idaho lost 114 of 268 OB/GYNs, but only gaining 20 new. The 114 stopped practicing, left the state, closed their practices, or retired. According to March of Dimes 11 of Idaho’s 44 counties have no obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities at all. This disproportionately impacts rural states, especially tribal reservations. Research shows that many obstetricians retired, left rural areas, left Idaho altogether, or decided to only do gynecology due to the laws Prop 1 would overturn.
Rural Idaho has a healthcare crisis underway! Prop 1 is only a fraction of Boise DSA’s vision of freedom, autonomy, and quality of life, but it is an important step towards stopping the bleeding.