Governor Whitmer Header




Dear Michigander, 

After the overturn of "Roe v. Wade", other states are pursuing radical proposals that would punish women who cross state lines to receive reproductive health care. If enacted, women and health-care providers including doctors and nurses could face jail time. Visitors to Michigan must know that they can access reproductive health care within our borders without fear of extradition.  

That is why I signed an executive order yesterday refusing to cooperate with out-of-state law enforcement seeking to punish women for seeking health care. I will stand up for all women, even if their local and statewide leaders refuse to. Michigan must remain a place where a person’s basic rights are preserved. In this existential moment for fundamental rights, it is incumbent on every elected official who believes that health—not politics—should guide medical decisions to take bold action. 

Since April, I have been working to protect reproductive health care for women in Michigan. My actions include:  


* *4/7: *Filed a lawsuit [ [link removed] ] to ask the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately resolve whether Michigan’s constitution protects the right to an abortion.     
* *4/7:* Penned an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press [ [link removed] ] explaining my action and highlighting that 7 in 10 Michiganders support the rights affirmed by "Roe".    
* *5/3:* Joined 16 other states to urge the United States Senate to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act [ [link removed] ] and enshrine "Roe"’s protections in federal law.    
* *5/9:* Penned an op-ed in the New York Times [ [link removed] ] explaining why I'm not waiting for Congress to act and urging fellow pro-choice governors, state representatives, private businesses, and citizens to take action to protect reproductive rights.    
* *5/25:* Signed an executive directive [ [link removed] ] instructing state of Michigan departments and agencies to identify and assess opportunities to increase protections for reproductive health care, such as contraception. The executive directive also instructs departments not to cooperate with or assist authorities of any state in any investigation or proceeding against anyone for obtaining, providing, or assisting someone else to obtain or provide reproductive health care that is legal where the health care is provided.    
* *6/23:* Launched a new consumer website [ [link removed] ] to educate Michiganders about the availability of no-cost contraception with most insurance plans.    
* *6/24:* On the day of the "Dobbs" decision [ [link removed] ], filed a motion urging the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately consider my lawsuit.    
* *6/27:* Followed up with an additional notice [ [link removed] ] to the Michigan Supreme Court urging them to immediately consider my lawsuit.   
* *6/29:* Sent a letter to Michigan’s insurers [ [link removed] ] urging them to take steps to ensure Michiganders have coverage for reproductive health care to the fullest extent possible under current coverage.    
* *7/6:* 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 [ [link removed] ]. The public effort will disseminate information about the differences between medication abortion and emergency contraception to all local health departments throughout Michigan, healthcare providers throughout the state, and the public.    
* *7/7:* Called on the federal government [ [link removed] ] to clarify and protect Michiganders’ right to cross the US-Canada border to seek reproductive health care or prescription medication including medication abortion.    
* *7/11:* Urged President Biden to make birth control [ [link removed] ] available over the counter without a prescription.   
* *NEW! 7/13: *Signed an executive order protecting women and providers who receive health care in Michigan from extradition to other states. 

I will continue to fight like hell to protect safe and legal abortion access in Michigan, and ensure all women have reproductive freedom. 

Sincerely, 

Governor Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan








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