Healthcare on the ballot

Issues
Measures by topic
Measures by year
Measures by state

This page contains information about statewide ballot measures regarding healthcare policies and laws and health insurance.

This page includes:

• healthcare policy trends appearing in ballot measures,
• related healthcare topics, and
• a full list of ballot measures dealing with healthcare by state and year.

Notable healthcare policy measures

This section highlights notable measures and recent trends related to healthcare policy.

Medicaid Expansion

In 2017, Maine was the first state to approve a ballot measure to expand Medicaid. In 2018, there were four ballot measures proposing to expand Medicaid or renew expansion. Three were approved, and one was defeated.

In 2020, Oklahoma voters approved a Medicaid expansion initiative. Missouri voters approved a Medicaid expansion initiative on August 4.

Below is a list of the ballot measures to expand Medicaid:

• Maine Question 2, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2017) a
• Utah Proposition 3, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2018) a
• Nebraska Initiative 427, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2018) a
• Montana I-185, Extend Medicaid Expansion and Increase Tobacco Taxes Initiative (2018) d
• Idaho Proposition 2, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2018) a
• Oklahoma State Question 802, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (June 2020) a
• Missouri Amendment 2, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (August 2020)  a

As of January 2022, a total of 38 states and Washington, D.C., had expanded or voted to expand Medicaid, while 12 states had not. The map below provides information on Medicaid expansions by state; for states that expanded, hover over the state to view the political affiliation of the governor at the time of expansion.

Related topics

State

• Abortion
• Assisted death
• Insurance
• Tobacco
• Stem cells
• Welfare

Local

• Local healthcare
• Local hospital bonds
• Local welfare

List of ballot measures

Year

State

2016

1. Nevada Medical Equipment Sales Tax Exemption, Question 4 (2016)

2014

1. Arizona Proposition 303, Medical Product Authorization for Terminally Ill Patients Initiative (2014)
2. Louisiana Hospital Stabilization Fund, Amendment 2 (2014)
3. Maine Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory Bond Issue, Question 5 (2014)

2011

1. Louisiana Patient's Compensation Fund, Amendment 3 (October 2011)
2. Washington Long-Term Care, Initiative 1163 (2011)

2010

1. Maine Question 2, Dental Care Access and Clinic Improvement Bond Measure (2010)

2006

1. Oregon Measure 44, Prescription Drug Purchasing Program Initiative (2006)

2005

1. California Proposition 78, Prescription Drug Discount Program Initiative (2005)
2. California Proposition 79, Prescription Drug Discount Program Initiative (2005)

2004

1. California Proposition 67, Additional 3% Surcharge on Telephone Use for Emergency Medical Services Initiative (2004)
2. Florida Amendment 7, Right to Review Records of Adverse Medical Incidents Initiative (2004)
3. Wyoming Healthcare Damage Limit, Question D (2004)

1996

1. California Proposition 214, Healthcare Business Regulation Initiative (1996)
2. California Proposition 216, Healthcare Business Regulation and Taxation Initiative (1996)

1994

1. Washington Initiative 607, Denture Sales by Non-Dentists Measure (1994)

1993

1. Washington HJR 4200, Public Employment of Chaplains in Health Facilities Amendment (1993)

1992

1. Oklahoma State Question 647, Healthcare Provider Taxes and Healthcare Program Funding Measure (1992)

1990

1. California Proposition 124, Rules Governing Local Hospital Districts Stock Ownership of Healthcare-Related Companies Amendment (1990)

1989

1. Maine Asbestos and Air Quality Hazards in State Facilities and Public Schools, Question 9 (1989)
2. Maine Solid Waste Landfills Clean Up and Closures, Question 10 (1989)
3. North Dakota Healthcare Education Program, Measure 8 (1989)

1988

1. California Proposition 95, Infraction Tickets and Funds for the Hungry and Homeless Initiative (1988)

1987

1. Texas Proposition 25, Amarillo Hospital District Expansion Amendment (1987)

1985

1. Texas Proposition 5, Provision of Healthcare Amendment (1985)

1984

1. Arizona Proposition 109, Hospital Revenue Limits Amendment (1984)
2. Arizona Proposition 110, Authorize Legislative Regulation of Healthcare Amendment (1984)
3. Arizona Proposition 301, Committee on Health Care Cost Containment and Hospital Rate Limits Initiative (1984)
4. Arizona Proposition 302, Health Care Cost Review Board, Hospital Revenue Limits, and Planning Process Initiative (1984)
5. Montana Practice of Denturity, I-97 (1984)

1982

1. Arizona Proposition 100, Regulation of Ambulance Services Amendment (1982)
2. Idaho Denturitry Practice and Licensing Initiative, Initiative 2 (1982)

1980

1. North Dakota State Medical Center Mill Levy Referendum, Amendment 3 (1980)

1978

1. Georgia Amendment 22, Health Insurance for Retired Teachers Measure (1978)
2. North Dakota Peoples Control of Healthcare Costs Initiative, Measure 4 (1978)
3. Oregon Measure 5, Licensing of Denturists Initiative (1978)

1976

1. Georgia Amendment 12, Medical School Loans Measure (1976)
2. Oklahoma State Question 522, Emergency Medical Districts Amendment (August 1976)

1974

1. Oklahoma State Question 504, Emergency Medical Service Districts Amendment (September 1974)

1972

1. Washington Referendum 29, Health and Social Service Facility Bond Measure (1972)

1970

1. Georgia Amendment 8, Tax Exemptions for Healthcare Facilities Amendment (1970)
2. Oklahoma State Question 476, Hospital Districts Amendment (September 1970)

1968

1. Georgia Amendment 10, Increase Medical School Loans Measure (1968)

1967

1. Texas Proposition 2, Municipal Health Services Amendment (1967)

1966

1. Georgia Amendment 15, Medical Loan Repayment Amendment (1966)

1964

1. Texas Proposition 3, Medical Care for the Needy Elderly Amendment (1964)

1962

1. Georgia Amendment 8, Repayment of Medical Loans Amendment (1962)
2. Texas Proposition 3, County Hospital District Creation Amendment (1962)
3. Texas Proposition 5, Legislative Creation of Hospital Districts Amendment (1962)
4. Texas Proposition 9, Creation of Hospital Districts and Home for the Elderly Amendment (1962)

1960

1. Georgia Amendment 13, Repayment of Medical Loans Amendment (1960)
2. Texas Proposition 1, Creation of Lamar Country Hospital District Amendment (1960)

1958

1. Texas Proposition 8, Medical Care for the Needy Amendment (1958)
2. Texas Proposition 9, County Hospital Districts Amendment (1958)

1954

1. Oregon Measure 3, State Hospital for the Elderly Mentally Ill Measure (1954)
2. Texas Proposition 1, Hospital Districts Amendment (1954)

1950

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 308-309, Public Medical Assistance for Eligible People Referendum (1950)

1949

1. Texas Proposition 3, Hospital Districts Amendment (1949)
2. Texas Proposition 5, City and County Health Departments Amendment (1949)

1944

1. California Proposition 4, Tax Exemption for Religious, Hospital, or Charitable Properties Amendment (1944)

1943

1. Georgia Amendment 17, Joint Hospital Contracts and Taxes Measure (August 1943)

1940

1. Oklahoma State Question 241, Board of Medical Examiners Initiative (1940)

1938

1. Colorado Measure 2, Regulation of Healthcare Professionals Initiative (1938)

1930

1. California Proposition 8, Tax Exemptions for Hospitals and Sanatoriums Amendment (1930)

1926

1. Georgia Amendment 1, Preservation of Health Records Measure (1926)

1922

1. California Proposition 20, Board of Osteopathic Examiners Initiative (1922)
2. California Proposition 28, Prohibition of Vivisection Initiative (1922)

1920

1. California Proposition 7, Vivisection Prohibition Initiative (1920)
2. California Proposition 8, Poison Regulations Referendum (1920)

1919

1. Oregon Measure Nos. 302-303, Industrial and Reconstruction Hospital Outside County Seat Amendment (June 1919)

1916

1. Colorado Regulation of Medical Practice, Measure 1 (1916)

Arizona

1. Arizona Proposition 100, Regulation of Ambulance Services Amendment (1982)
2. Arizona Proposition 109, Hospital Revenue Limits Amendment (1984)
3. Arizona Proposition 110, Authorize Legislative Regulation of Healthcare Amendment (1984)
4. Arizona Proposition 301, Committee on Health Care Cost Containment and Hospital Rate Limits Initiative (1984)
5. Arizona Proposition 302, Health Care Cost Review Board, Hospital Revenue Limits, and Planning Process Initiative (1984)
6. Arizona Proposition 303, Medical Product Authorization for Terminally Ill Patients Initiative (2014)

California

1. California Proposition 124, Rules Governing Local Hospital Districts Stock Ownership of Healthcare-Related Companies Amendment (1990)
2. California Proposition 20, Board of Osteopathic Examiners Initiative (1922)
3. California Proposition 214, Healthcare Business Regulation Initiative (1996)
4. California Proposition 216, Healthcare Business Regulation and Taxation Initiative (1996)
5. California Proposition 28, Prohibition of Vivisection Initiative (1922)
6. California Proposition 4, Tax Exemption for Religious, Hospital, or Charitable Properties Amendment (1944)
7. California Proposition 67, Additional 3% Surcharge on Telephone Use for Emergency Medical Services Initiative (2004)
8. California Proposition 7, Vivisection Prohibition Initiative (1920)
9. California Proposition 78, Prescription Drug Discount Program Initiative (2005)
10. California Proposition 79, Prescription Drug Discount Program Initiative (2005)
11. California Proposition 8, Poison Regulations Referendum (1920)
12. California Proposition 8, Tax Exemptions for Hospitals and Sanatoriums Amendment (1930)
13. California Proposition 95, Infraction Tickets and Funds for the Hungry and Homeless Initiative (1988)

Colorado

1. Colorado Measure 2, Regulation of Healthcare Professionals Initiative (1938)
2. Colorado Regulation of Medical Practice, Measure 1 (1916)

Florida

1. Florida Amendment 7, Right to Review Records of Adverse Medical Incidents Initiative (2004)

Georgia

1. Georgia Amendment 1, Preservation of Health Records Measure (1926)
2. Georgia Amendment 10, Increase Medical School Loans Measure (1968)
3. Georgia Amendment 12, Medical School Loans Measure (1976)
4. Georgia Amendment 13, Repayment of Medical Loans Amendment (1960)
5. Georgia Amendment 15, Medical Loan Repayment Amendment (1966)
6. Georgia Amendment 17, Joint Hospital Contracts and Taxes Measure (August 1943)
7. Georgia Amendment 22, Health Insurance for Retired Teachers Measure (1978)
8. Georgia Amendment 8, Repayment of Medical Loans Amendment (1962)
9. Georgia Amendment 8, Tax Exemptions for Healthcare Facilities Amendment (1970)

Idaho

1. Idaho Denturitry Practice and Licensing Initiative, Initiative 2 (1982)

Louisiana

1. Louisiana Hospital Stabilization Fund, Amendment 2 (2014)
2. Louisiana Patient's Compensation Fund, Amendment 3 (October 2011)

Maine

1. Maine Asbestos and Air Quality Hazards in State Facilities and Public Schools, Question 9 (1989)
2. Maine Question 2, Dental Care Access and Clinic Improvement Bond Measure (2010)
3. Maine Solid Waste Landfills Clean Up and Closures, Question 10 (1989)
4. Maine Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory Bond Issue, Question 5 (2014)

Montana

1. Montana Practice of Denturity, I-97 (1984)

Nevada

1. Nevada Medical Equipment Sales Tax Exemption, Question 4 (2016)

North Dakota

1. North Dakota Healthcare Education Program, Measure 8 (1989)
2. North Dakota Peoples Control of Healthcare Costs Initiative, Measure 4 (1978)
3. North Dakota State Medical Center Mill Levy Referendum, Amendment 3 (1980)

Oklahoma

1. Oklahoma State Question 241, Board of Medical Examiners Initiative (1940)
2. Oklahoma State Question 476, Hospital Districts Amendment (September 1970)
3. Oklahoma State Question 504, Emergency Medical Service Districts Amendment (September 1974)
4. Oklahoma State Question 522, Emergency Medical Districts Amendment (August 1976)
5. Oklahoma State Question 647, Healthcare Provider Taxes and Healthcare Program Funding Measure (1992)

Oregon

1. Oregon Measure 3, State Hospital for the Elderly Mentally Ill Measure (1954)
2. Oregon Measure 44, Prescription Drug Purchasing Program Initiative (2006)
3. Oregon Measure 5, Licensing of Denturists Initiative (1978)
4. Oregon Measure Nos. 302-303, Industrial and Reconstruction Hospital Outside County Seat Amendment (June 1919)
5. Oregon Measure Nos. 308-309, Public Medical Assistance for Eligible People Referendum (1950)

Texas

1. Texas Proposition 1, Creation of Lamar Country Hospital District Amendment (1960)
2. Texas Proposition 1, Hospital Districts Amendment (1954)
3. Texas Proposition 2, Municipal Health Services Amendment (1967)
4. Texas Proposition 25, Amarillo Hospital District Expansion Amendment (1987)
5. Texas Proposition 3, County Hospital District Creation Amendment (1962)
6. Texas Proposition 3, Hospital Districts Amendment (1949)
7. Texas Proposition 3, Medical Care for the Needy Elderly Amendment (1964)
8. Texas Proposition 5, City and County Health Departments Amendment (1949)
9. Texas Proposition 5, Legislative Creation of Hospital Districts Amendment (1962)
10. Texas Proposition 5, Provision of Healthcare Amendment (1985)
11. Texas Proposition 8, Medical Care for the Needy Amendment (1958)
12. Texas Proposition 9, County Hospital Districts Amendment (1958)
13. Texas Proposition 9, Creation of Hospital Districts and Home for the Elderly Amendment (1962)

Washington

1. Washington HJR 4200, Public Employment of Chaplains in Health Facilities Amendment (1993)
2. Washington Initiative 607, Denture Sales by Non-Dentists Measure (1994)
3. Washington Long-Term Care, Initiative 1163 (2011)
4. Washington Referendum 29, Health and Social Service Facility Bond Measure (1972)

Wyoming

1. Wyoming Healthcare Damage Limit, Question D (2004)

See also

• List of ballot measures by topic
• Healthcare issue being fought by ballot measures