STATEMENT: Gov. Whitmer Statement on Court Ruling to Expand Reproductive Freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2025

Gov. Whitmer Statement on Court Ruling to Expand Reproductive Freedom

Michigan Court of Claims ruling in Northland case finds Michigan’s most significant remaining restrictions on abortion are unconstitutional, violate right to reproductive freedom

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the Michigan Court of Claims issued a ruling in the Northland case. They ruled that several of Michigan’s most significant remaining restrictions on abortion access are in clear violation of the state’s constitutionally protected right to reproductive freedom, which Michiganders overwhelmingly voted for with Proposal 3 in 2022.

“Today’s Court of Claims ruling reaffirms that Michigan is a state where you can make your own decisions about your own body with a trusted health care provider, without political interference.

“In 2022, Michiganders voted overwhelmingly to enshrine abortion rights in our state constitution, and in 2023, I was proud to repeal our extreme 1931 abortion ban and sign the Reproductive Health Act, which removed politically motivated, medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion.

“Today’s ruling means that patients and doctors are no longer subject to even more of these outdated restrictions on abortion, including the forced waiting period and a ban on advanced practice clinicians from performing abortions.

“This ruling gives us a chance to celebrate Women’s Health Week the best way we know how—by protecting and expanding women’s fundamental rights and freedoms.”

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