A number of states will vote on ballot measures related to substance use, insurance and other health-related issues on Nov. 5 — in addition to the 11 abortion-related measures before voters. The health-related initiatives cover a range of topics.
California, South Dakota and Illinois voters will be asked about changes to insurance programs, while New Mexico, Nevada and Washington state will weigh changes related to care facilities. Four states — Florida, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska — will consider different cannabis legalization efforts, while California and Arizona voters will weigh in on changing drug-related penalties. West Virginia will also vote on an initiative that asks voters if they favor prohibiting medically assisted suicide and euthanasia in the state constitution.
Both chambers of the state legislature voted in March to place the measure on the ballot. “I think that’s going to be big. That’s something folks are watching very closely, because this will be the first state that’s worked to put something in to ensure that there’s constitutional protections against physician-assisted suicide,” said Peter Northcott, director of state strategies for the National Right to Life.
Medical or physician-assisted death is legal in 10 states and Washington, D.C., for terminally ill patients who seek aid in being prescribed lethal medications.
Euthanasia is illegal nationwide and refers to a provider administering the lethal medication to the patien.