RHA’s Sweeping Attempt to Fully Deregulate Surgical Abortion Clinics Jeopardizes Women’s Health, Removes Longstanding Protections for Women Seeking an Abortion
The Michigan Coalition to Protect a Woman’s Right to Know has announced its strong opposition to the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), stating that the bill would result in the removal of long-standing protections for women and children from Michigan law.
The coalition, which brings together over ten statewide organizations (listed below) representing millions of citizens, asserts that the RHA was hastily drafted and extends far beyond the scope of any previous administration’s proposals. Should the legislation be enacted, it would present an immediate threat to the well-being of women and children across the state.
The RHA package of bills, which is considered dangerous, includes the repeal of Michigan’s informed consent and 24-hour waiting period requirement, the removal of basic surgical abortion clinic health and safety regulations, and the elimination of the legal barrier that prevents taxpayer dollars from funding elective abortions.
These bills are at odds with the expressed will of Michigan voters, as evidenced by a recent poll conducted by the Market Resource Group. 1. The role of state legislators is to represent the will of the citizens of Michigan, rather than to impose an ideologically driven agenda on them.
- The concept of informed consent and the 24-hour waiting period are of significant importance to the citizens of Michigan. It is a fundamental right of women to be fully informed about the medical procedures they are presenting themselves for, including abortions. This right is similarly applicable to all other medical procedures. Two (63 percent of Michigan citizens support informed consent).
- It is imperative that women seeking surgical abortion services receive care in buildings that meet the same basic health codes as all other medical facilities. This includes hallways that are sufficiently wide to accommodate emergency medical services (EMS) stretchers and first responders in the event of an emergency. A survey of Michigan residents revealed that 90% of respondents supported abortion clinic health and safety regulations.
- All human life, including that of a woman seeking an abortion, is of intrinsic value and is deserving of government protection through the implementation of basic industry regulations. No other industry is permitted to regulate itself.
- The expenditure of taxpayer funds on elective abortion contravenes the conscience rights of those who oppose such procedures and disregards the expressed will of the people. The third argument is that the use of taxpayer dollars to fund elective abortion violates the conscience rights of those opposed to such procedures and ignores the will of the people. 3
We, the undersigned, stand united in our opposition to the proposed legislation, which we believe endangers women. We therefore call on our state elected leaders to reject the Reproductive Health Act.
Michigan Coalition for Pregnancy Wellness
Life Matters Worldwide
The Great Lakes Justice Center
She Leads Michigan/Fresh Start for Life
Right to Life of Michigan
Michigan Catholic Conference
Christian Coalition
Citizens for Traditional Values
Protect Life Michigan
Mid-Michigan Women for Conservative Values
Democrats for Life
Life Advancement Group
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1. A poll released on May 19, 2023, indicates that 97% of pro-choice Michigan voters support abortion regulations and give “total support” for health and safety standards. Additionally, 65% of respondents indicated that they support “total support” for 24-hour waiting periods. Source: https://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/news-room/lansing-update/2023/poll-shows-michigan-voters-favor-abortion-regulation/
2. Currently, all 50 states in the United States have informed consent laws in place, with the majority of these states including 24-hour or longer waiting periods before an abortion can be performed. Michigan would be the first and only state to abandon this standard of best practice in a reckless manner. Source: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/counseling-and-waiting-periods-abortion
The third item on the agenda is as follows: In the previous election, a majority of 57% of Michigan voters voted to retain the ban on Medicaid-funded abortions. This information can be found at https://rtl.org/planned-parenthood-requests-repeals.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
