Results Are Close for Health Care Initiatives on California Ballot
Late Tuesday, results were too close to call on ballot measures in California that would issue almost $1 billion in state bonds to fund construction at children's hospitals and require girls under age 18 to notify a parent 48 hours before undergoing an abortion, the Los Angeles Times reports (Bailey, Los Angeles Times, 11/5).
Children's Hospitals
Proposition 3 would issue $980 million in state bonds to fund renovation, expansion, or the purchase of new furnishings and equipment at California's eight not-for-profit children's hospitals. Twenty percent of the funds would be reserved for facilities operated by the University of California.
Children's hospitals funded the campaign, and the measure was opposed by taxpayer groups.
In 2004, voters approved a similar measure (Yamamura, Sacramento Bee, 11/5).
With 92.3% of precincts reporting, the measure appeared headed toward passage with 54.7% of voters supporting it (Secretary of State Web site, 11/5).
Parental Notification
Proposition 4 would require physicians to notify a parent at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on an unemancipated minor.Â
The measure includes exemptions that would permit another adult family member to be notified in some cases and a juvenile court judge to waive the requirement in some situations.
The measure is supported by antiabortion advocates (Garcia, San Jose Mercury News, 11/4).
Planned Parenthood, the California Medical Association and the American Civil Liberties Union oppose the measure (Los Angeles Times, 11/5).
Voters have rejected similar measures twice in the past four years (Sweeney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/5).
With 92.3% of precincts reporting, 52.6% of voters came out against the measure, poising the state to once again reject parental notification (Secretary of State Web site, 11/5). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.