The 2018 Elections Brought a Record Number of Reproductive Health Champions into Office
Fueled by frustration over local and national politics since President Trump took office, Minnesotans showed up in record numbers to vote in the 2018 midterm election, especially young people. Reproductive health care was a galvanizing issue in the 2018 election and Minnesota voters made history by electing a pro-women’s health Democrat to succeed another pro-women’s health Democrat in the governor’s office.
Pro-women’s health Democrats also flipped 18 House seats, including unseating 12 incumbent suburban Republicans. No DFL House incumbents lost their seats and Minnesotans elected the second pro-women’s health majority in the history of the MN House, with an unprecedented number of members supportive of women’s health and rights.
2019 Legislative Session: Stark Differences on Reproductive Health
The difference between Minnesota Republicans and Democrats on reproductive health issues is plain, and this contrast is on full display in the House and Senate Health and Human Services omnibus bills. We should all be able to agree that Minnesotans’ access to contraception and information about family planning is key to reducing unplanned pregnancy and abortion rates.
Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate has refused to even consider bills that would ensure that birth control is affordable and accessible for all. Instead, Republican lawmakers have prioritized unconstitutional abortion bans, funding for fake women’s health clinics and health care cuts, none of which will help Minnesotans get the health care they need to plan for their health and families.
Alternately, the DFL-controlled Minnesota House and Governor Walz have prioritized measures that will improve the reproductive health and well-being of Minnesotans by expanding access to birth control and strengthening Minnesota’s statewide network of reproductive health clinics.
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