On Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bills aimed at protecting abortion rights in Michigan. These bills, known as the Reproductive Health Act, repealed laws that restricted access to abortion care and ensured that certain types of reproductive care were available.
The first bill that was passed repealed Michigan’s TRAP laws, which imposed specific restrictions on abortion providers. These restrictions included rules about hallway width, ceiling heights, and janitor closets, which ultimately increased costs and decreased the number of providers available to the people of Michigan. The second bill overturned a 1931 law that criminalized healthcare providers for prescribing abortion medication, which is the most common way abortions are performed. This legislation also mandated that students at Michigan universities received accurate information about reproductive healthcare.
In addition to these measures, Governor Whitmer emphasized the importance of Proposal 3 in passing the Reproductive Health Act. This proposal enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution with 56.65% of the vote. Whitmer stated that this new legislation will lower costs for patients and providers while protecting every Michigander’s constitutional right to make their own decisions about their own body. She also highlighted politically motivated and medically unnecessary restrictions that have been in place for decades and expressed that this RHA is a step forward in expanding access to healthcare and protecting people’s personal freedoms.
In conclusion, Governor Whitmer’s office asserts that the Reproductive Health Act will help to expand access to healthcare while removing unnecessary regulations that have hindered both providers and patients alike. This action marks a significant step forward in protecting reproductive rights and ensuring access to safe and affordable healthcare for all Michiganders.