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Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024

Would Nevada’s abortion ballot question allow non-doctors to perform abortions?

Tabitha Mueller, The Nevada Independent
yes

Nevada law states that only a physician licensed by the state or employed by the government can provide abortion services.

A pro-abortion ballot question proposing to amend the state’s Constitution going before voters in the 2024 November election would specify that all individuals have a right to abortion “performed or administered by a qualified health care practitioner.”

While the proposed constitutional amendment does not directly define “qualified health care practitioner,” the term typically refers to a broader subset of health care providers that includes registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners or midwives, as well as physicians.

One 2022 study found that 19 states allow non-physicians to perform medication and procedural abortions.

See a full discussion of this at The Nevada Independent

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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