Partial birth abortion bill passes Michigan committee but not all Democrats are on board

Opposition in Democrat party may be growing

This morning the Michigan Health Policy Committee approved a package of bills that Democrats call the Reproductive Health Act. One Democrat, Rep. Whitsett voted no on the bills.

One of the bills would repeal Michigan's ban on partial-birth abortions.

I am also learning the popularity of these bills may be falling due to pushback from certain lawmakers and residents of Michigan.

The next step in the process is for the legislation to move to the House floor.

In order for the legislation to become law the House and Senate would need to approve it. If approved, it would have to be signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

The legislation would also include a new act to create a right to an abortion in the state of Michigan, removing licensing restrictions on facilities that provide abortion services, eliminating the 24-hour waiting period for an abortion, and repealing the requirement to provide state literature for those seeking an abortion. Additionally, the bill removes the ban on Medicaid reimbursement for abortion care, eliminates criminal punishments for miscarriages and stillbirths, and allow certain commercial health companies to cover abortion-related services.

Click here to read all of the legislation

Lawmakers on both sides have been speaking out.

State Rep. Bob Bezotte (R-Livingston County) said, "Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, we should all be able to recognize the importance of properly regulating and inspecting surgical abortion centers,” Bezotte said. “Safeguards must be in place to ensure that every woman who seeks out these services knows the potential implications and visits a facility that is safe, clean, and conducive to healing.”

“Michiganders overwhelmingly supported enshrining the right to reproductive freedom in our state constitution, but our work is far from done,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), chair of the Progressive Women’s Caucus. “A right is not truly a right if it is not accessible to everyone in our state, and it is crucial we remain vigilant here in Michigan. The restrictive laws that remain on the books are founded on misogynistic ideologies that aim to control people’s bodies and our freedoms. It is not my nor any other lawmaker’s job to interfere with a person’s reproductive health decisions. Reproductive freedom is a right, and it is our job to further safeguard that right and ensure it is available to all Michiganders, which is why we must pass the RHA.”

I will keep you updated as this legislation works it’s way through Lansing.