After over 50 years of legal abortion in America, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. In Michigan, a 1931 law on the books would make the procedure a felony. Anticipating the federal ruling, Governor Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit in April 2022 in hopes that Michigan's Supreme Court declares abortion rights are protected by the state Constitution.
Below, you can find the latest stories about what the end of Roe v. Wade means legally, politically, and medically for Michiganders.
Top Stories
State Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher ruled Wednesday that the Michigan Constitution’s due process clause is broad enough to include a woman’s right to an abortion.
Legal Questions
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The Michigan Court of Claims granted preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of Michigan. The injunction means the state’s 1931 abortion ban would not be enforced immediately if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
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A judge says Michigan’s 90-year-old abortion law can’t be enforced until courts decide if banning abortion is constitutional.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the state’s abortion ban that would take effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Seven Michigan county prosecutors have said publicly that they won’t prosecute abortion cases, and they've signed onto Governor Whitmer's effort to have the Michigan Supreme Court overturn that law.
Medical Questions
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Many women in the state had no idea that if Roe goes, a 1931 law making abortion a felony would spring into effect.
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Michigan's law criminalizing abortion would only allow exceptions to "preserve the life" of the woman. But that's a dangerously ambiguous term, medical experts say.
Read More
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A report on Michigan's law requiring parental consent for teens to access abortion care, a preview of the Freep Film Fest this weekend, the environmental importance of vernal pools during spring, and an up close encounter with a rare and stinky plant
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Governor Whitmer discusses the importance of access to mifepristone, an abortion pill, and addresses other questions around reproductive rights.
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Governor Whitmer on support for mifepristone, the state of marijuana research in Michigan, and Anne Curzan's new "funner" book.
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Vice President Kamala Harris visited Grand Rapids Thursday as part of her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour.
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From a Democratic majority in the Michigan legislature to expanded abortion access policies, we talk about all things Michigan politics in 2023.
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A Lions, Wolverines, and Spartans football roundup, ghost town hunting in the Upper Peninsula, comparing Ohio's new reproductive rights to Michigan's and using words of wonder in discourse.
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People have the right to an abortion in Michigan. But how easy is it to actually access one?
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The Michigan legislature adjourned early this year. We talked about why the legislature made this decision, what they accomplished this year, and what we can expect when the session resumes.
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The lawsuit, filed one year after Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, argues that amendment violates the U.S. Constitution.
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Abortion advocates say changing regulations for clinics that perform abortions would make it easier for patients, especially in rural areas, to access abortions. But opponents say it would put patients in danger by opening the door for unsafe clinics. Here’s what the medical and scientific evidence actually says.
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The latest Gallup poll also finds increased political polarization. Some 60% of Democrats said abortion should be legal under any circumstances, compared with 8% of Republicans.
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Among other things, the expansion of the law would protect people who’ve had abortions from being denied a job, a promotion, or housing.
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There are a variety of rulings from courts in other states regarding the drug mifepristone. The sometimes-competing decisions have created uncertainty surrounding the continued availability of the drug from suppliers. It’s expected the final call will be made by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Patients seeking abortions in Michigan can still get the abortion pill — at least, for now.
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The political roundtable discusses the repeal of the state’s 1931 abortion law, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ visit to Michigan, and the charges against a former Republican Speaker of the House.
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The ban is superseded by a voter approved amendment to the state Constitution. But Governor Gretchen Whitmer said it’s important to strip what she calls “zombie laws” off the books to protect reproductive rights.
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The It’s Just Politics political roundtable discusses the week in Michigan politics as lawmakers hold hearings on new gun safety bills and Senators vote to add LGBTQ protections to the state’s civil rights act.
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The ban is unenforceable due to a state constitutional amendment passed last year that guarantees abortion rights. But advocates say it should still come off the books.
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The Michigan Supreme Court has officially closed the books on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s effort to have Michigan’s 1931 abortion law declared unconstitutional.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs an executive directive to make sure state government is ready to comply with the state’s new abortion-rights amendment.