Reproductive freedom *is* healthcare: Vote YES on Prop 1

As worded on the Election 2022 ballot, Proposition 1 would enact an amendment to California’s constitution explicitly prohibiting the state from interfering with or denying an individual’s reproductive freedom. The California Supreme Court has in the past ruled that the right to abortion is implicit because the right to privacy is explicit in the state constitution. Recent events have shown that we need to make the right to get an abortion and to obtain and use contraceptives explicit.

This will be one of five abortion-related measures on the ballot in 2022 nationally after the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June. The amendment provided for in Prop 1 would read:

“The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives.”

Currently, millions of individuals in California have the right to an abortion and to choose their own contraceptives. If Prop 1 does not pass, millions of individuals will be at risk of being denied essential medicine: Common contraceptives used to treat inflammation, arthritis, psoriasis, and abnormal menstrual cycles will no longer be accessible. Pregnancy complications that could lead to maternal mortality are also expected to increase if a ban on abortion rights is passed.

The November vote comes on the heels of the victory in Kansas for abortion rights, which saw a 250% increase in early voter turnout compared to the 2018 midterm election. This huge victory is a success for gender equity and for the socialist movement everywhere in the U.S.

Unsurprisingly, Prop 1 has received opposition from conservative “pro-life” organizations such as Democrats for Life of America, California Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Republican Party of California, and various directors of the so-called Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

Although California appears to be a progressive state, leaning towards accepting reproductive freedom as healthcare and a fundamental right, a NO vote will place millions of individuals in dangerous situations. Let’s go all-out for abortion rights, because abortion is healthcare and essential. Vote YES on Proposition 1!