What the Kansas abortion rights win means for Kentucky

Fresh from Kansas win, Rachel Sweet heads to Kentucky to fight anti-abortion vote bill

Kansas voters surprised everyone earlier this month when they overwhelmingly rejected an anti-abortion ballot measure.

now Rachel SweetThe Health 202 learned that the campaign manager who helped abortion rights win in Kansas has been hired to lead a similar effort in Kentucky.

Sweet just won in Kansas, 59 percent Eight voters in conservative states have defeated an attempt to strip abortion protection from the state constitution. While several states have abortion bills on ballots in November, Kentucky wants residents to make it clear that nothing in the state constitution creates the right to abortion. It is the only state to participate in a similar bill.

“We saw Kansas as a kind of trailblazer for how things could go here in Kentucky. Heather Ayer campaign coordinator for Kentucky American Civil Liberties Union.

Coalition of groups that support abortion rights – and more ACLUs kentucky When parenthood planning — I oppose constitutional reform in Kentucky.a coalition group called Secure Kentucky Access, I recently hired Sweet. She kicked off a new gig on Monday heading the Kentucky effort, which has not been previously reported.

There is institutional expertise behind both state campaigns. space control center, A direct mail company working on Democratic politics and ballot measures, it has supported campaigns in Kansas and is also a general consultant for campaigns in Kentucky.

In Kansas, the campaign settled on a message that it believed could appeal to voters across the political spectrum, as well as voters with mixed opinions about abortion. This included a focus on the freedom of Americans to make decisions about their own health care.

But that doesn’t mean Kentucky’s efforts will follow the same line. The campaign adjusts its strategy based on research into what messages are effective with voters in deficit.

• “Kansas and Kentucky are different places, and I think it’s important to realize that what works in one state may not work in another.” Sweet said. “I think one of the reasons he’s been successful in Kansas is because he listened to voters.”

Wide vote margins in Kansas shocked the anti-abortion movement.Kentucky Campaigns to Support Constitutional Amendment yes for lifeand consists of groups such as Kentucky Right to Live, Kentucky Baptist Convention and the Kentucky Catholic Congress.

• “Margin was ridiculous [in Kansas],” Said Todd Gray Executive Director and Treasurer Kentucky Baptist Convention. “So for those who want to see their lives being saved, it’s worrying.”

But what does that mean for Kentucky?chair yes for life The Union spoke with its Kansas counterpart the day after the amendment was defeated to determine if the Kentucky campaign needed to make any amendments.

“We’re analyzing it now,” Wuchner said.also serves as state secretary general right to live chapter. She added that she was confident the bill would go to a popular vote rather than a primary like it did in Kansas, and the ballot questions in the state are easier written than in Kansas.

Kentucky now has a near-total ban on abortion.Abortion rights groups file lawsuit against ban days after Supreme Court overturns Law vs Wadeargues that because the state constitution protects the right to privacy, it protects the right to have an abortion.

Anti-abortion opponents want to prevent judges from ruling that the Constitution does in fact protect abortion. The Kansas bill demonstrates the importance of “doing whatever it takes” when it comes to educating voters about ballot measures. Jason Hall executive director of Kentucky Catholic Congress.

• “The message is that this is your chance to make a pro-life statement.” Hall said. “This is an opportunity to prevent the national level. Law vs Wade“

CDC Admits Shortages During Covid-19 Pandemic, Orders Agency Change

The country’s top public health official yesterday said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention We failed to respond effectively to the coronavirus pandemic and vowed to make drastic changes, say our colleagues Lena H. Sun When Dan Diamond report.

CDC Director Rochelle Wallensky She told executives she embraced the long-awaited cultural overhaul at the agency based on an internal review. Mary WakefieldA former undersecretary of health in the Obama administration, he is tasked with leading the reorganization.

The announcement comes more than two years after a global health emergency that has been repeatedly criticized for its slow, opaque and confusing response. CDC and other health agencies also face harsh criticism In recent weeks, the response to the growing monkeypox epidemic has been.

A background briefing document shared with the Post set out some of the solutions being considered to address the agency’s most pressing issues. The contents of the plan are…

• Reimagining CDC’s Communication Approach Ensure that the guiding documents and recommendations are clear and easy to understand.
• create a new online system To deliver the results of our research prior to publication in order to expedite the public health response.
• Minimum 6 month rotation required For officials leading emergency response to ensure business continuity.

Next steps: Several actions require Congressional action, including new powers to mandate reporting of state data, faster hiring, and competitive salaries to encourage employee recruitment and retention. Others are internal changes Wallenski could make, like redirecting key public health departments to report directly to her. Some require negotiation with unions.

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said:

Planned Parenthood Launches Historic Mid-Term Spending Initiative

parenthood planningadvocacy groups and political groups for $50 million Our colleagues to elect abortion rights advocates across the country in the November midterm elections Amy B. Wang I am writing.

Group’s Greater Efforts $45 million The spending record set in 2020 comes nearly two months after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion. This highlights how much reproductive rights advocates believe abortion will become a motivational issue for voters in the upcoming elections.

Planned Parenthood will initially focus on gubernatorial or congressional elections in nine states. Ballot box results can overturn abortion rights in Georgia, Nevada, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Michigan and Wisconsin. Many of these states also hold competitive Senate elections to determine which party has control of the House of Representatives.

Organizational investments initiated under the program name partitionaiming to reach 6 million It takes the form of voter engagement, campaigns, phone and text banking, advertising, and more. The group will also launch organizing programs run by and for youth of color.

Family Planning Action Fund:

Meanwhile, across the country…

• North Carolina: A federal judge has ruled to outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the state, eroding abortion protections in one of the few remaining abortion safe havens in the South. . Associated Press I am writing.
• South Carolina: The state Supreme Court has temporarily suspended the state’s near-total abortion ban, which prohibits patients from terminating pregnancies at about six weeks. Katie Shepard report.
• In Florida: public prosecutor Andrew Warren (D) sued the government. Ron DeSantis (R) Seeking reinstatement in the post after being dismissed for pledging not to file lawsuits arising from Florida’s 15-week abortion ban and potential gender-affirming care ban. Kim Belware When Latecia Beacham report.

Caroline Kitchener in The Post:

Democrats pressure Biden to invoke Defense Production Act for monkeypox vaccine

Democrats in New York City are clamoring for President Biden call defense production law Boosting country access to monkeypox vaccine.

In a letter headed by a representative. Jerry Nadler When Richie Torres, lawmakers argue demand for the vaccine is outstripping supply as confirmed cases have surpassed 13,500 nationwide. “Now is the time to demand extraordinary measures to ensure our vaccine supply meets the challenges of this moment,” wrote lawmakers.

The government has recently taken steps to adjust its vaccine strategy to expand the country’s limited supplies, and lawmakers say DPA officials are frequently used to supplement the country’s stockpiles. The White House did not respond to The Health 202’s request for comment.

Congressman Richie Torres (DN.Y.):

• Senator Chuck Grassley (Republican, Iowa) told a group of members yesterday He said he was “in favor of a $35 cap” on insulin, despite recently voting against a bill that would introduce measures for Americans with private insurance. post politics now colleague reports. He instead said he would support broader bipartisan measures, including caps.
• A federal judge has ordered CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart to pay more than $650 million. According to The Post, two Ohio counties were flooded with painkillers. Marina Lopez When Merrill Cornfield.
• Bavarian Nordic, the only company with a licensed monkeypox vaccine, According to the company, it is no longer certain it will be able to meet demand and is in talks with multiple production partners as cases rise globally. Bloomberg news.
• CDC had confirmed the case of monkeypox in a California patient whose major risk factors were close, Non-sexual contact at outdoor events. Researchers said the case “highlights the potential for spread in large gatherings, which could affect epidemic control.”

Public health agencies adapt Covid lessons to curb overdose, STDs and gun violence (by Katheryn Houghton | Kaiser Health News)

Tim Kaine’s role in abortion bill raises progressive concerns (By Amie Parnes | The Hill)

Tracking Wastewater Disease: A Photographic Journey From Sewerage To Laboratory (Aliza Aufrichtig, Emily Anthes, Jonah Markowitz | The New York Times)

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