FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
October 29, 2019
Contact: Cayley Winters, 269-601-5834, cayley@progressmichigan.org
House Democrats and Governor Whitmer Introduce Reproductive Health Act
RHA will protect abortion rights as well as repeal and update outdated abortion laws
LANSING — Tuesday morning, House Democrats and Governor Gretchen Whitmer introduced the Reproductive Health Act. The bill is meant to expand and ensure access to abortion in Michigan by updating the state’s outdated and unconstitutional abortion laws.
“Abortion is healthcare, plain and simple, and it’s time the books in Michigan reflect that,” said Sam Inglot, deputy director at Progress Michigan. “By removing unnecessary barriers to contraceptives and abortion, our state can ensure that people have the power and freedom to make important medical decisions for themselves and take control of their lives and their futures.”
The RHA would repeal or update 10 laws, including the state-mandated waiting period that forces patients to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion and the ban on private insurance coverage for abortion—also known as “rape insurance—”that was instated in 2014.
“These reforms would be a big step forward for abortion rights in Michigan,” Inglot said. “Michigan should be a place where everyone has the right to access safe, legal abortion and have full control over their own body, and the Reproductive Health Act can help us get there.”
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