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Planned Parenthood supporters gathered at the state capitol to advocate for the repeal of outdated and harmful abortion restrictions. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, and State Rep. Christine Morse addressed the crowd, sharing their commitment to advancing legislation to remove medically unnecessary barriers to abortion access. Following the speeches, advocates met with individual lawmakers to discuss Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan’s policy agenda and ask the legislators to take action to ensure all Michiganders can access abortion.
Last November, Michigan voters sent a clear message by passing Proposal 3, a constitutional amendment that enshrined the right to reproductive freedom — including abortion — into the state constitution. However, decades of unconstitutional restrictions remain on Michigan’s law books. In order to ensure abortion is treated like all other health care, with regulations that reflect current medical standards, lawmakers must repeal and update Michigan’s laws.
Nicole Wells Stallworth Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan:
“For decades, anti-abortion politicians have been passing medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion in an effort to push care out of reach for as many people as possible. These laws have disproportionately affected people of color, people with low incomes, and people in remote or rural communities. We are steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the repeal of these unconstitutional restrictions so everyone has access to the reproductive health care they deserve, regardless of their zip code or income.”
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion politicians in state legislatures across the country have passed sweeping abortion bans. Here in Michigan where abortion remains legal, providers are grappling with a three-fold increase in the number of out-of-state patients, and because of current restrictions that remain, many patients still struggle to access the care they need.