Democrats Steamroll Easy-Access Abortion Act Through Michigan Legislature
A narrow majority of Democrats are jamming a package of bills through the Michigan Legislature designed to repeal and replace popular abortion regulations.
A bundle of nearly a dozen bills is sailing through the Michigan House of Representatives in what one GOP lawmaker said was “breakneck speed.”
State Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) told The Epoch Times the proposed Reproductive Health Act (RHA) “is by far the overarching issue of the whole session for me. It’s a feel-good title for a repulsive policy.”
Mr. Schriver said of all the objectionable bills contained in the package, the proposed repeal of the state law banning partial-birth abortions is the most reprehensible.
“It appears this would allow abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy: allowing a fully developed, viable child to be legally aborted right up until birth. Not good,” he said.
The Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing, Mich., on Oct. 8, 2020. Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
Abortion Provider Weighs In
In support of the RHA is leading abortion provider Planned Parenthood of Michigan.
Alexis McGill Johnson, a spokesperson for the group, said in an online statement, “We applaud health care champions across Michigan for introducing this critical legislation and look forward to the historic Reproductive Health Act becoming law.”
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan CEO Paula Thornton Greear said in the same online post, “Michiganders turned out in record numbers last year to pass Proposal 3 and protect the right to reproductive freedom in our state constitution, but our work is not over.
“Michigan law still contains a number of dangerous and unnecessary regulations that explicitly target patients and abortion providers and continue to obstruct access to essential care.
“We are grateful to the elected champions sponsoring the Reproductive Health Act because we need to finish the job the voters started last November.
“When we repeal these dangerous restrictions still littering Michigan’s law books, patients will have greater access to the care guaranteed to them under the Michigan state constitution,” Ms. Greear said.
Other provisions in the proposed act would allow Medicaid funds to pay for abortions; and to do away with the mandatory 24-hour waiting period and informed consent requirements, such as women being shown an ultrasound image of their baby and materials explaining what happens during the procedure they are considering. The women are also to be presented with alternatives to abortion.
In addition, the new laws would eliminate building regulations that require abortion facilities to have hospital-grade operating rooms, wide hallways, and be located in close proximity to a hospital.
Trained clinicians, and not just doctors, would be authorized to perform abortions under the terms of the new legislation.
‘Abortion is Health Care’
Also celebrating the RHA is Loren Khogali, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.
Ms. Khogali posted on the left-leaning activist organization’s website, “We are excited that our state lawmakers are prioritizing reproductive health with the introduction of the Reproductive Health Act.
“Although abortion is legal in Michigan, it is not accessible to many people who already face systemic barriers to health care ... Abortion is health care, and the voters want this right protected,” she said.
The ACLU’s Michigan legislative director, Merissa Kovach, posted on the website that RHA repeals dozens of “medically unnecessary laws that have nothing to do with health care and everything to do with politics.”
“We are thrilled and grateful that our legislature is prioritizing the health of Michiganders … Now is the time for our elected leaders to see this through.”
Pro-life activist organization Right to Life of Michigan entered the digital duel, voicing its opposition to RHA on its website. “Now is the time to take immediate action by reaching out to your state legislators, no matter their political affiliation, and tell them to vote NO on the Reproductive Health Act,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Catholic Conference said in a statement, “The bill package calls for the repeal of many commonsense abortion regulations, regulations which continue to enjoy the broad support of Michigan citizens, including the majority of those who voted for Proposal 3.”
Railroading the Legislation
State Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) at a press conference in Macomb County, Mich. on July 19, 2023. Steven Kovac/Epoch Times
Mr. Schriver is protesting what he perceives as ramrodding of the controversial package through the Michigan House.
He told The Epoch Times that the Democrat majority “just introduced this out of nowhere last week.”
The agenda didn’t come out until late Monday night.
Mr. Schriver said the big RHA package is being rushed through committee this week and will likely be up for a vote on the floor next week before members have a chance to study the voluminous legislation they will be asked to vote on.
The RHA’s chief sponsor in the House is Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia). The Senate sponsor is Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing).
The proposed repeal of the requirement that parents be notified by the school and give their consent before their minor child undergoes an abortion is not part of the current RHA package.
It is widely expected that the parental notice repeal will be introduced through separate legislation at a later date.
Steven Kovac
Reporter
Steven Kovac reports for The Epoch Times from Michigan. He is a general news reporter who has covered topics related to rising consumer prices to election security issues. He can be reached at [email protected]
Democrats Steamroll Easy-Access Abortion Act Through Michigan Legislature
A bundle of nearly a dozen bills is sailing through the Michigan House of Representatives in what one GOP lawmaker said was “breakneck speed.”
State Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) told The Epoch Times the proposed Reproductive Health Act (RHA) “is by far the overarching issue of the whole session for me. It’s a feel-good title for a repulsive policy.”
Mr. Schriver said of all the objectionable bills contained in the package, the proposed repeal of the state law banning partial-birth abortions is the most reprehensible.
“It appears this would allow abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy: allowing a fully developed, viable child to be legally aborted right up until birth. Not good,” he said.
Abortion Provider Weighs In
In support of the RHA is leading abortion provider Planned Parenthood of Michigan.Alexis McGill Johnson, a spokesperson for the group, said in an online statement, “We applaud health care champions across Michigan for introducing this critical legislation and look forward to the historic Reproductive Health Act becoming law.”
“Michigan law still contains a number of dangerous and unnecessary regulations that explicitly target patients and abortion providers and continue to obstruct access to essential care.
“We are grateful to the elected champions sponsoring the Reproductive Health Act because we need to finish the job the voters started last November.
“When we repeal these dangerous restrictions still littering Michigan’s law books, patients will have greater access to the care guaranteed to them under the Michigan state constitution,” Ms. Greear said.
Other provisions in the proposed act would allow Medicaid funds to pay for abortions; and to do away with the mandatory 24-hour waiting period and informed consent requirements, such as women being shown an ultrasound image of their baby and materials explaining what happens during the procedure they are considering. The women are also to be presented with alternatives to abortion.
In addition, the new laws would eliminate building regulations that require abortion facilities to have hospital-grade operating rooms, wide hallways, and be located in close proximity to a hospital.
‘Abortion is Health Care’
Also celebrating the RHA is Loren Khogali, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.“Although abortion is legal in Michigan, it is not accessible to many people who already face systemic barriers to health care ... Abortion is health care, and the voters want this right protected,” she said.
The ACLU’s Michigan legislative director, Merissa Kovach, posted on the website that RHA repeals dozens of “medically unnecessary laws that have nothing to do with health care and everything to do with politics.”
“We are thrilled and grateful that our legislature is prioritizing the health of Michiganders … Now is the time for our elected leaders to see this through.”
Railroading the Legislation
Mr. Schriver is protesting what he perceives as ramrodding of the controversial package through the Michigan House.
He told The Epoch Times that the Democrat majority “just introduced this out of nowhere last week.”
The agenda didn’t come out until late Monday night.
Mr. Schriver said the big RHA package is being rushed through committee this week and will likely be up for a vote on the floor next week before members have a chance to study the voluminous legislation they will be asked to vote on.
The RHA’s chief sponsor in the House is Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia). The Senate sponsor is Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing).
The proposed repeal of the requirement that parents be notified by the school and give their consent before their minor child undergoes an abortion is not part of the current RHA package.
It is widely expected that the parental notice repeal will be introduced through separate legislation at a later date.
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