Michiganders have spoken loud and clear: we support reproductive freedom.  

Today, I signed the final piece of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) into law to ensure Michigan’s laws reflect Michigan's constitutional protection for abortion.           

For decades, Michigan has had politically motivated, medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion in state law. These laws criminalized doctors for providing medical care, jacked up out-of-pocket costs for patients, and imposed needless regulations on health centers, forcing many to close, especially in Western and Northern Michigan. The RHA repeals these laws, taking a huge step forward to expand access to health care and protect people’s personal, constitutional freedoms.   

Ten years ago today, I was in the Michigan Senate, fighting against an unconscionable anti-choice bill that would have forced Michiganders to pay extra for insurance every month just in case they were raped or had an unwanted pregnancy. Exactly ten years later, I am proud to be repealing that same bill as governor. I am proud that in just over 18 months, we have gone from the repeal of Roe v. Wade to expanding reproductive freedom in Michigan with the passage of Proposal 3 and the Reproductive Health Act.  

Let's get into what the RHA means for Michiganders.   

• First, the RHA repeals Michigan’s TRAP Laws, which are designed specifically to close abortion providers. These medically unnecessary and burdensome restrictions have nothing to do with a clinic’s ability to deliver care. They include rules about hallway width, ceiling heights, HVAC systems, and janitor’s closets. These restrictions jack up costs, especially for independent clinics, and have decreased the number of providers available to Michiganders, especially in Western and Northern Michigan.   

• Second, it repeals another outdated and extreme law from 1931 that would have criminalized nurses and doctors for prescribing medication abortions including mifepristone. Medication abortions are the most common way abortions are performed and have been safely used for decades. While other states restrict access to these pills, the passage of the RHA ensures Michigan providers and patients will have every option available.  

• Third, the RHA ensures students at Michigan public universities have access to accurate information about all their reproductive health options. Young adults deserve the same medical choices that every other patient gets. For too long, students at Michigan universities could be denied access to information about their options—including abortion—depending on where they went to college.   

• And finally, the RHA repeals a law that banned private insurance companies from covering abortion. The law forced patients to buy a separate insurance rider for abortion, so-called “rape insurance.” Effectively, the law forced people to pay more out of pocket in case they were assaulted. Abortion should be covered just like any other form of health care and Michiganders should not have to pay more to get it as part of their comprehensive plans. 

We’ve been fighting to protect abortion in Michigan for years. But when Roe v. Wade was overturned, our fight took on a whole new level of urgency. Thanks to you and my many partners in the legislature, we got it done.  

We showed the world that Michigan is a place that fights for your fundamental freedom to make your own decisions about your own body. As governor, I will keep doing everything I can to improve access to health care and protect your constitutional right to abortion. 

Sincerely,