We have learned through this site’s History and Stories that during the last two years, our legislature has intentionally created a health system in Idaho that is abusive and dangerous to Idaho women. This intrusive government intervention has robbed women of the freedom to make their own health decisions. It also can endanger their lives because they cannot legally be treated in Idaho. Another unintended consequence is the fact that OB/GYN’s are leaving the state at an alarming rate causing parts of Idaho to be void of Women’s Health services and stressing the remaining clinical services.
Idaho laws are very restrictive compared to other states. National reporting often cites Idaho as an example of an excessively harsh Women’s Health system.
Women’s Health has become a national issue. States all over the map are struggling to permanently protect women’s freedom and their right to choose. In Idaho these laws are already on the books and in force except where lawsuits have temporarily prevented implementation pending a court’s final decision. At this point the only remedy for Idaho women is through the ballot box with a voter initiative or replacing pro-life legislators in the November election.
There is a group currently planning to pass a voter initiative which would take two or three years before implementation. Voter Initiatives in Idaho usually have legal challenges because of the legislator’s disdain for the process.
The best and surest way to make the change is to replace the legislators who wrote and support this government intervention. There is good news on this front because there have been recent women’s health elections all over the country. The first victory occurred in August of 2022 in the red state of Kansas. Every subsequent election has been a victory for Women’s Health. Nationwide these victories have left women feeling empowered and proud of their accomplishments. Women are realizing and understanding that they have significant voting power and that their majority “will” is stronger than the single-minded interest of our legislature.
Women who feel motivated to support making a change with their votes can discuss this within their circle of friends. They will find that most of them are interested in doing “something” because they think Idaho legislation has gone too far. Their efforts to get the word out to their friends, neighbors, family, and co- workers will translate to more and more votes for the cause. They will be successful in making a difference because women’s reproductive rights is one of the most important issues in the election. Let’s get the word out!
Below are snippets and comments from election participants, journalists and researchers. They are intended to inspire and identify current trends.
In the process, they also show women that THEY, THEMSELVES must protect and prioritize their health, including voting for measures they believe do so and supporting the companies, investors, organizations, and politicians that share that mission.
Across the country, fractures are emerging among conservative and centrist Republican women, as they confront an unrelenting drumbeat of new abortion bans and court rulings.
There is a portion of conservative women whose views are evolving in real time, in response to Roe v. Wade decision.
Researcher, Tresa Undem, says the share of Republican women who believe their party’s views on abortion are “too extreme” increased in February to 39%. A MAJORITY of Republican women also now cite “women’s rights” an “extremely or very important issue” in their vote, up from 31%.
Everyone knows someone who has had a complication in pregnancy, so this issue is far reaching.
Lisa Hoberg, a Republican Committeewomen, says, “My ideals are small government, freedoms. Stay out of our classrooms, stay out of our bedrooms, stay out of my exam rooms.”
Some Kansans were opposed to abortion but didn’t like the idea of their daughter/sister/friend not being able to get one safely if needed.
They framed the effort as nonpartisan. They reached beyond Democrats to Republican moderates, especially women. They also talked to rural conservatives. “If we are to be successful in a ‘red state’, we have to do it differently.”
“I have four daughters, and this campaign was for them.”
Slogan: “SHE’S THE CHANGE”
“It’s going to be women who get it us out of this.