Abortion

Anti-abortion advocates are pressing for expanded abortion bans and tighter restrictions since the Supreme Court overturned the national right to abortion. But with the debate mostly deadlocked in Washington, the focus is shifting to states convening their first full legislative sessions since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Montana officials are looking to tighten rules around medically necessary abortions for those who use Medicaid as their health insurance. Reproductive health advocates and Democratic lawmakers have said the move is part of a broader agenda to whittle away access to the procedure.

A Republican lawmaker is seeking to add a caveat to the state’s constitutional right to privacy. The language would say that the right does not protect access to abortion.

Montana lawmakers said lowering costs and expanding patient access will be their top health care goals for the new legislative session.

The state’s high court previously considered the case in 2019, after a district court temporarily allowed Helen Weems, a nurse practitioner and the owner of All Families Healthcare in Whitefish, to provide abortions while the case proceeded.

Newly elected and returning lawmakers from both parties gathered at the Capitol in Helena Wednesday to elect leaders for the House and Senate.

Montana voters rejected a referendum proponents said was necessary to protect survivors of botched abortions. Opponents called it redundant to infanticide laws already on the books.

Unofficial results show LR-131, a referendum for the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, has received 54% against it, and 46% of votes in favor.

A ballot measure that seeks to protect infants following failed abortions would impose stiff penalties on health care providers in Montana.

A controversial referendum on the November ballot with roots in the pro-life movement could have implications that extend beyond abortion rights.