The Quickie: Anti-Democratic Change to Ballot Initiatives in Ohio Headed to Voters

Welcome to “The Quickie” — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s daily tipsheet on the top health care & reproductive rights stories of the day. You can read “The Quickie'' online here.

In today’s Quickie: anti-democratic change to ballot initiatives in OH headed to voters, MO passes gender-affirming care ban, FDA committees vote in support of OTC birth control, FDA to relax restrictions on blood donation from gay and bi men, and transforming sexual and repro health care in Africa.

OHIOANS TO VOTE ON INITIATIVE RESTRICTING BALLOT MEASURES IN AUGUST: Yesterday, the Ohio House passed SJR2, a proposed rule change to raise the vote threshold for passing ballot measures in the state to 60 percent. Ohioans will vote on the measure during a special election in August — a notoriously low-turnout time picked intentionally by anti-democracy supporters of SJR2. SJR2 is a direct response to reproductive rights advocates proposing a ballot initiative to enshrine a state constitutional right to abortion. 

“When the American people are given the chance, they vote for bodily autonomy, for freedom of choice, and for their futures – in short, they vote to protect abortion,” Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio (PPAO) said in a statement. “And despite today’s blatant attack on Ohioans’ ability to protect abortion, we are still confident their voices will be heard loudly at the ballot box in November despite this politically motivated hurdle. In coalition with our partners throughout the state, we will continue our work to break down barriers to abortion and ensure our patients and communities have access to the quality care they deserve.”

The Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom coalition has already launched a campaign to oppose SJR2, urging Ohioans to vote no on August 8.

Hundreds turned up to Ohio’s capitol building to protest the anti-democratic measure’s passage. This is just the latest example of lawmakers across the country trying to limit and attack abortion access through anti-democratic means, despite there being majority support for this essential health service. 

Read more at Ohio Capital Journal and Statehouse News. 

MISSOURI LEGISLATURE PASSES BILLS ATTACKING TRANS PEOPLE, INCLUDING BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANS YOUTH, RESTRICTIONS FOR ADULTS: Yesterday, the Missouri legislature sent two bills targeting trans people to Gov. Parson for signature. The first bill imposes sweeping restrictions on gender-affirming care for all ages, banning it for youth and prohibiting Medicaid coverage of services for all ages. The measure also prevents incarcerated people from receiving gender-affirming care. The second bill bans trans girls and women from participating in women's sports teams. The bans are set to take effect on August 28. 

These measures are part of a wave of anti-trans legislation that runs counter to medical evidence and attacks the dignity of trans and gender-nonconforming people. Missouri joins more than 16 other states in banning life-saving gender-affirming care for gender affirming care and nearly two dozen with restrictions on sports participation for trans people. 

Read more at AP. 

FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEES VOTES UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF OVER-THE-COUNTER BIRTH CONTROL PILL: Yesterday, FDA advisers unanimously voted in support of making a birth control pill available over-the-counter (OTC) for the first time ever. For two days, the committees heard the scientific evidence in support of OTC access to Opill, a progestin-only pill, before voting 17-0 in favor of recommendation. This vote informs but does not dictate the FDA’s decision making, which is expected later this summer.

OTC access to birth control is increasingly important as barriers make it harder for people to get access to reproductive health care. Access to OTC birth control pills would provide another option for people to make their own reproductive health decisions, including avoiding unintended pregnancy. 

Read more at CNN, Axios and the Washington Post. 

FDA TO UPDATE BLOOD DONATION POLICY, RELAXING RESTRICTIONS FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN: Today, the FDA announced it will recommend relaxing restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men. The agency will instead recommend “individual risk-based questions” that will be the same for all donors regardless of their sexual orientation, sex, or gender. Recommendations would be consistent for everyone: gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships would be allowed to donate blood, a victory for advocates and a crucial policy change to increase blood supplies, particularly as the blood supply periodically faces shortages.

“The implementation of these recommendations will represent a significant milestone for the agency and the LGBTQI+ community,” Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said.

Read more at The Hill. 

TRANSFORMING SEXUAL AND REPRO HEALTH CARE IN AFRICA: Achieng Akumu, Planned Parenthood Global's Africa Regional Director, spoke with Kenya Television Network to highlight how PP Global is working with young people to drive an intersectional, youth-led movement to expand sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Akumu also highlighted the Maputo Protocol, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in July. The Maputo Protocol is an international human rights instrument established by the African Union and remains one of the most progressive legal instruments providing a comprehensive set of human rights for African women – covering the entire spectrum of civil and political, economic, social and cultural as well as environmental rights.

Watch here.