*September 20, 2024*



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Dear Friends,

Here in Michigan, reproductive freedom is non-negotiable.

Over the last few years, we’ve made a lot of progress to protect every Michigander’s fundamental right to make their own decisions about their own bodies and ensure every family can choose to expand their family, when, how, or if they want to.


* In 2022, Michiganders voted overwhelmingly to enshrine abortion rights and IVF protections in our state constitution with Proposal 3. 
* Last April, with our new majority in the Michigan Legislature, we repealed an extreme 1931 law [ [link removed] ] that banned abortions without exceptions for rape or incest and criminalized doctors and nurses for doing their jobs.  
* Last November, I signed the Reproductive Health Act [ [link removed] ], repealing TRAP laws and enacting commonsense changes to protect reproductive health and freedom. 
* This April, I signed the Michigan Family Protection Act [ [link removed] ], a package of commonsense, long-overdue changes to repeal Michigan’s ban on surrogacy, protect families formed by IVF, and ensure LGBTQ+ parents are treated equally under the law.

We got this done thanks to our strong legislative leadership and the support of a majority of Michiganders across our state.

Meanwhile, extreme politicians in other states are putting government between private decisions that should be left to your family and your doctor, and in the years since the overturn of "Roe V. Wade", they’ve gotten bolder.

So far, 14 states have passed total abortion bans. In Texas, lawmakers banned abortions with zero exceptions for rape or incest. In Florida, a ban is now in effect for abortion after 6 weeks, before most people even know they are pregnant. In Georgia, a similar ban is forcing women to continue high-risk and nonviable pregnancies and has resulted in tragic outcomes like the case of Amber Thurman [ [link removed] ], who died after being denied life-saving reproductive healthcare. 

In Michigan, we have your back.

We cannot let politicians get between you and your doctor when it comes to making the right decisions for your family, your health, and your body.

I will keep fighting like hell to protect reproductive freedom in Michigan and make our state the best place to start, raise, and grow your family.

Sincerely,

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Gretchen Whitmer

Governor






*Our Action to Protect **Reproductive Freedom*





I want to tell you more about what our progress means to protect every Michigander’s fundamental right to make their own decisions about their own bodies and your ability to decide when, how, or if you want to start a family in Michigan.




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*Reproductive Health Act*

Last November, I signed the Reproductive Health Act [ [link removed] ] (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. The RHA repealed those laws, taking a huge step forward to expand access to health care and protect people’s freedoms.  

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*1. The RHA repealed Michigan’s TRAP Laws*

These laws were designed specifically to close abortion providers. These laws imposed needless regulations on health centers, forcing many to close, especially in Western and Northern Michigan. We repealed them.

*2. The RHA ensures access to prescribed medication abortions*

It repealed 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. 

*3. The RHA ensures public university students save access to info about 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.   

*4. The RHA bans “rape insurance”*

It repealed 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. 

*Michigan Family Protection Act*

This April, I signed the Michigan Family Protection Act [ [link removed] ], a package of commonsense, long-overdue changes to repeal Michigan’s ban on surrogacy, protect families formed by IVF, and ensure LGBTQ+ parents are treated equally under the law.

*1. Repealed Michigan’s Ban on Surrogacy*

Until last April, Michigan was the only state in the nation—1 of 50—to criminalize paid surrogacy contracts. These bills repealed that unjust ban and better protect surrogates, parents, and children.

I’m proud of the work that went into passing the Michigan Family Protection Act, especially from advocates like Stephanie. Her struggle to grow her own family inspired her to take action, and because of her efforts, more families like hers will be able to make it in Michigan.

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*2. Protects IVF*

IVF allows millions of Americans to have children every year and must be protected. The Michigan Family Protection Act ensures every child born by surrogacy or with assisted reproductive technology (including IVF) is treated equally under the law.

IVF can be incredible and life-changing, giving people like Krista and her husband the opportunity they needed to have their son.  

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*3. Ensures LGBTQ+ Parents Are Treated Equally *

Every family in Michigan deserves the same treatment when trying to start a family. The Michigan Family Protection Act ensures that LGBTQ+ families are treated equally and eliminates the need for them to go through a costly and invasive process to get documentation confirming their parental status. Even if they move to a state that does not respect these basic rights, these bills help ensure they cannot be denied their relationship with their child.








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