RELEASE: Governor Whitmer on Passage of Reproductive Health Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 7, 2023

Governor Whitmer on Passage of Reproductive Health Act

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after passage of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA). The Governor called for passage of the Reproductive Health Act in her What’s Next Address, a first-of-its-kind speech delivered in August laying out a policy vision for the fall after the Michigan Legislature’s unprecedented productivity over the first 8 months of the year.

“Michiganders spoke loud and clear in the last election when they voted overwhelmingly to protect the constitutional freedom for people to make their own decisions about their bodies. For years, Michigan has had politically motivated and medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion on the books. These laws criminalized doctors for providing medical care, jacked up out of pocket health care costs, and imposed needless regulations on health centers. This legislation makes important steps toward expanding access and protecting our personal freedoms. We will continue to take action to ensure that Michiganders can access the reproductive health care they deserve.”

Michiganders Support the Reproductive Health Act

In November 2022, 56.65% of Michiganders voted for Proposal 3, protecting abortion rights in our state constitution.  
In a May 2023 poll, 55% of women ages 18-49 say they or someone they know has made a decision due to worries about accessing abortion. 
In the same poll, 65% of adults are concerned bans on abortion would make it difficult for doctors to safely treat patients, leading to complications.

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