Colorado Democratic Party Supports Initiative 89
The Colorado Democratic Party has endorsed Initiative 89, a change to the Colorado constitution that would further protect abortion and ensure state government issued insurance will cover this health procedure.
After Roe v. Wade was overturned, there have been steady regression in reproductive health care rights across the nation. The ruling has left many without access to essential health care all across the United States.
Colorado has constitutionally protected the right to abortion, and Governor Jared Polis has continued to pass bills supporting reproductive and gender-affirming health care, but this is an on going battle, even in Colorado.
Maintaining vigilance with our voices and our votes is necessary to protect our rights as Coloradans (and to uplift those in states that have lost health care rights). Healthcare should not be criminalized or a privilege; it should be a guarantee.
Initiative 89 proposes to to further protect abortion as health care and ensure insurance coverage, stating:
“A change to the Colorado constitution recognizing the right to abortion, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of that right, allowing abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans for Colorado state and local government employees and enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs.”
Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party Shad Murib says, “This issue is personal to me and my family, and I’m proud that Colorado Democrats support the right of every Coloradan to make their own decisions about abortion without the government getting in the way … Coloradans will make sure no politician is able to put their ideology ahead of our freedoms by supporting proposed Initiative 89 this fall.”
With arguments raging over birth control, gestational limits, and bodily autonomy all over our country, this election season will likely only aggravate an issue that significantly impacts all people with uteruses.
Abortion is a topic that has, and will continue to be, used by politicians as a talking point. Bodily autonomy is an individual and personal pursuit, and government policy cannot possibly be keen on every insight on a topic that varies wildly from case-to-case and person-to-person.
As you head to the voting booths and send in ballots, consider the weight of this ongoing health care issue. More information on Initiative 89 can be found here.
