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June 21, 2023 

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On One Year Anniversary of Dobbs Decision, Governor Whitmer Outlines Michigan’s Work to Protect Reproductive Freedom, Road Ahead 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, 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 coutnry 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.