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
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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.
Jodi Westrick
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Michigan Radio
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Legal Questions
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Jodi Westrick/Michigan RadioThe 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. -
Jodi Westrick/Michigan RadioA judge says Michigan’s 90-year-old abortion law can’t be enforced until courts decide if banning abortion is constitutional. -
Michigan RadioGovernor 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. -
Dee DwyerSeven 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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Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty ImagesMany women in the state had no idea that if Roe goes, a 1931 law making abortion a felony would spring into effect. -
Traci Hahn/trac1 - stock.adobe.com/129738451Michigan'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.
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The YWCA of Kalamazoo, which brought the lawsuit with the help of the ACLU of Michigan, argues state law could prevent Medicaid recipients from accessing an abortion. -
Today, financial pressure on abortion providers, a southeast Michigan writer who wove a multi-generational story, and WMU's incoming president on mid-sized schools. -
New financial pressures on clinics that provide abortion are forcing some to close their doors, even in states that protect the right to abortion. -
The ruling says Michigan's voter-backed constitutional amendment means the state's abortion protections go even beyond Roe v. Wade. -
Arguments in a legal challenge to abortion restrictions that remain on the books in Michigan opened Thursday before a Michigan Court of Claims judge. The laws are currently blocked by a preliminary ruling from Judge Sima Patel. -
The Thomas More Society, a law firm that opposes abortion rights, asked Trump for 21 of the pardons. The group said the prosecutions were unjust. -
On Monday, President Donald Trump promised to roll back protections for transgender people. And Michiganders who get gender-affirming medical care "are very fearful that they won't be able to get their medications in the future," said Dr. Sarah Wallett of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. -
Today, we talk to Natasha Bagdasarian about the state partnering with the department of health and human services to provide free access to birth control and sexually transmitted disease prevention medication. And, a feature on women stocking up on Plan B in Michigan. -
If your group text right now is all about stockpiling Plan B, you’re not alone. Some Michigan patients are asking for sterilizations, birth control, and gender-affirming care ASAP post-election. -
Today, a Michigander, with family living in Lebanon, shares his experience watching violence unfold from afar. Then, a deeper look into how abortion access may play a part in Michiganders’ attitudes heading to the polls. And in that vein, we turn to the next episode of What The Vote. What does Gen Z have to say about the abortion debate in politics?
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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. -
The lawsuit, filed one year after Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, argues that amendment violates the U.S. Constitution. -
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. -
It would repeal several laws and state rules dealing with abortion. -
Democratic leaders in Lansing dropped a key part of the Reproductive Health Act on Tuesday: Medicaid coverage for abortions. But at least one Democrat says that's still not enough. -
A key Democratic lawmaker says she won’t support legislation to repeal many abortion restrictions on the books in Michigan. -
Deadline day for the United Auto Workers, what the end of pandemic relief funds could mean for child care centers, and a package of bills to make abortion care more accessible. -
Every day, Michigan abortion patients are turned away at their appointments because there's a problem with their state-mandated paperwork. Legislation in Lansing would remove those requirements. -
Issue 1 in Ohio's special election would require a 60% majority in future ballot measures. It could be a roadblock for a November measure: access to abortion care. -
Michigan Radio's Kate Wells discusses the surge in out-of-state patients coming to Michigan for abortions.
