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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 bodies and lives stripped away. 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 and their families. We have made real progress, but the work must continue.
In the year since Dobbs, we have led the nation in protecting and affirming reproductive freedom for all. 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 place where anyone can envision a future.
 Gretchen Whitmer
Governor
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Following the Dobbs ruling, I took numerous steps to protect access to safe, legal abortion and reproductive healthcare services in Michigan.
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On the day of the Dobbs decision, I filed a motion urging the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately consider my lawsuit to block enforcement of Michigan’s extreme 1931 abortion ban and to recognize a constitutional right to abortion under the Michigan constitution.
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In June 2022, I followed up with an additional notice to the Michigan Supreme Court urging them to immediately consider my lawsuit.
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In June 2022, I 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.
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In July 2022, I 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.
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In July 2022, I 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.
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In July 2022, I urged President Biden to make birth control available over the counter without a prescription.
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In July 2022, I signed an executive order refusing to extradite women or health care providers who come to Michigan seeking reproductive freedom.
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In July 2022, I called on the FDA to reduce barriers to medication abortion.
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In August 2022, we 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.
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In August 2022, we went to court to defend the restraining order and won.
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In August 2022, I filed a renewed request with the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately consider my lawsuit to protect the right to abortion in Michigan.
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In August 2022, I submitted a legal brief to prevent enforcement of the extreme 1931 abortion ban.
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In August 2022, I filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the 1931 abortion ban in Oakland County Circuit Court.
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In August 2022, we 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.
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In August 2022, we expanded access to birth control to 200,000 Michiganders covered by MPSERS non-Medicare plans.
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In August 2022, I 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, I joined LARA to announce that pharmacists in the state of Michigan are eligible to prescribe hormonal birth control in partnership with doctors.
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In November 2022, I announced new protocols so EMS responders can carry emergency contraception and are prepared to work with sexual assault survivors.
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In December 2022, I signed an executive directive ordering departments to identify ways to increase protection for reproductive health care under the Michigan constitution.
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In April 2023, I repealed Michigan’s extreme 1931 abortion ban.
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In May 2023, I signed a law prohibiting employers from discriminating against women because they’ve had an abortion.
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