Great Lakes Wire

LANSING, Mich. - On June 21, 2023, Governor Whitmer issued the following statement in advance of the recognized the one-year anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v Jackson overturning Roe v Wade

“Last year, after the Dobbs decision was released, tens of millions of Americans across the nation had their fundamental right to make their own decisions about their own bodies and lives stripped away,” said Governor Whitmer. “As reproductive freedom remains under attack in other states, we are taking action to guarantee that Michiganders have the right to make reproductive health care decisions that are best for them. We have made real progress, but the work must continue. It is my hope that the legislature will repeal laws that make it harder for women to exercise their right to access abortion care, including laws that mandate biased, medically inaccurate counseling, discriminatory waiting periods, and put obstructive, targeted regulations on women’s health providers. I will keep using every tool in my toolbox to support, protect, and affirm reproductive freedom in Michigan, and I’ll keep fighting to make our state a welcoming beacon of opportunity where anyone can envision a future.” 

 “In the year since the Dobbs decision, Michigan has led the nation in protecting and affirming reproductive freedom for all,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Thanks to our efforts, not a single day has gone by in which Michiganders could not access abortion care. Governor Whitmer and I are committed to using every tool in our toolbox to protect reproductive freedoms, close health equity gaps in underrepresented communities, and ensure every person can reach their full potential right here in Michigan.”

 “When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade one year ago, it cast the nation into an abortion access crisis,” said Paula Thornton Greear, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “At Planned Parenthood of Michigan, we have seen the devastating consequences of this decision firsthand. People across the country are being forced to travel hundreds of miles to access abortion services, putting their health and lives at risk. Michigan has taken major strides to protect abortion access, but there is still much work to be done. Every day we hear from patients who are struggling to overcome the political barriers designed to block them from care.” 

 “In November, Michiganders took matters into their own hands and spoke with a clear voice—abortion is healthcare, and everyone should be able to make their own decisions about their own body,” said Loren Khogali, Executive Director, ACLU of Michigan. “Now, we must ensure the promise of Proposal 3 is fulfilled for all. Having the legal right alone to abortion is not enough, we must have access to it. Today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future we look forward to fighting alongside leaders like Governor Whitmer to ensure this essential healthcare is delivered equitably and accessibly for anyone who needs it, including Michiganders from every corner of the state ad patients across the country who are being forced out of their own communities for care.”

 Governor Whitmer’s Actions to Protect Reproductive Freedom Governor Whitmer is committed to protecting reproductive freedom for every Michigander and building a state where everyone can succeed. Before the Dobbs ruling, the governor filed a lawsuit asking the Michigan Supreme Court to recognize a constitutional right to an abortion under the Michigan constitution and won an injunction on the state’s 1931 abortion ban. The governor also signed an executive directive instructing state departments to increase protections for reproductive healthcare.

 Following the Dobbs ruling, the governor took bold steps to protect access to safe, legal abortion and reproductive healthcare services in Michigan, such as repealing the 1931 abortion ban, signing an executive order refusing to extradite women or health care providers who seek reproductive freedom in Michigan, launching public awareness campaigns to educate Michiganders about the availability of no-cost contraception, and expanding access to birth control to more Michiganders.

• On the day of the Dobbs decision, filed a motion urging the Court to immediately consider her lawsuit. 
• In June 2022, followed up with an additional notice to the Court urging them to immediately consider her lawsuit. 
• In June 2022, sent a letter to Michigan’s insurers urging them to take steps to ensure Michiganders have coverage for reproductive health care to the fullest extent possible under current coverage. 
• In July 2022, joined with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to launch a public effort to educate Michiganders and health care providers about the difference between emergency contraception and medication abortion.
• In July 2022, called on the federal government to clarify and protect Michiganders’ right to cross the US-Canada border to seek reproductive health care or prescription medication including medication abortion.
• In July 2022, urged President Biden to make birth control available over the counter without a prescription.
• In July 2022, signed an executive order refusing to extradite women or health care providers who come to Michigan seeking reproductive freedom.
• In July 2022, called on FDA to reduce barriers to medication abortion.
• In August 2022, secured a restraining order blocking certain county prosecutors from enforcing the 1931 abortion ban after a court cleared a path for them to do so earlier on the same day.
• In August 2022, went to court to defend the restraining order and won.
• In August 2022, filed renewed request with Michigan Supreme Court to protect right to abortion.
• In August 2022, submitted legal brief to prevent enforcement of extreme 1931 abortion ban.
• In August 2022, filed motion for a preliminary injunction against 1931 abortion ban in Oakland County Circuit Court.
• In August 2022, won a preliminary injunction against the 1931 abortion ban, protecting legal abortion in Michigan until the Michigan Supreme Court takes up the governor’s lawsuit or Michiganders vote to protect women’s fundamental rights.
• In August 2022, expanded access to birth control to 200,000 Michiganders covered by MPSERS non-Medicare plans.
• In August 2022, called on big tech to protect data and digital privacy in light of report of law enforcement using personal health data to go after women seeking reproductive care.
• In August 2022, joined LARA to announce that pharmacists in the state of Michigan are eligible to prescribe hormonal birth control in partnership with doctors.
• In November 2022, announced new protocols so EMS responders can carry emergency contraception and are prepared to work with sexual assault survivors.
• In December 2022, signed an executive directive ordering departments to identify ways to increase protection for reproductive health care under the Michigan constitution.
• In April 2023, repealed Michigan’s extreme 1931 abortion ban.
• In May 2023, signed a law prohibiting employers from discriminating against women because they’ve had an abortion.

Original source can be found here