For more information, click on the links of the bill numbers below to see and print the actual bill or act.
24-Hour Waiting Period Repeal
S.B. 452 – Sen. Rebekah Warren
H.B. 4760 – Rep. Pam Faris
Current Status
S.B. 452 and H.B. 4760 were introduced on June 14, 2017 and were referred to each house’s respective health policy committee.
Description
S.B. 452 and H.B. 4760 are identical bills that would repeal Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period prior to obtaining an abortion.
Background
Many states have enacted waiting periods to allow women an opportunity to reflect on an abortion decision prior to having one. Some states require a three-day waiting period while other states allow for same-day abortions. Current law in Michigan requires that women wait 24 hours between initial contact with the abortion clinic and the procedure. Most elective surgeries take weeks between initial consultation and the procedure.
History
The 24-hour waiting period has been in effect in Michigan since 1999, when it was passed as part of our informed consent law. The 24-hour period begins after receiving information about abortion either from the clinic or online from the state’s website.
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Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Repeal
S.B. 454 – Sen. Curtis Hertel
H.B. 4761 – Rep. Christine Greig
Current Status
S.B. 454 and H.B. 4761 was introduced on June 14, 2017. S.B. 454 was referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee and H.B. 4761 was referred to the House Insurance Committee.
Description
S.B. 454 and H.B. 4761 are identical bills that would repeal Michigan’s Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act.
Background
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2013, the Federal and State insurance exchanges provides abortion coverage as a built-in benefit unless states pass legislation to remove it. Since insurance purchased on the exchanges is often purchased with tax subsidies, a law was needed to remove abortion coverage from the insurance plans in order to ensure that taxpayers weren’t paying for abortions with their tax dollars.
History
The Michigan legislature passed the law to remove abortion as a built-in benefit in insurance plans and make abortion coverage an optional rider in December of 2012, however, Governor Snyder vetoed that bills. RLM then formed No Taxes for Abortion Insurance, a committee to initiate legislation via petition. Over 313,000 signatures were collected and the House and Senate once again voted to approve the legislation, which was then veto proof. It became law on December 11, 2013.
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Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Repeal
S.B. 454 – Sen. Curtis Hertel
H.B. 4761 – Rep. Christine Greig
Current Status
S.B. 454 and H.B. 4761 was introduced on June 14, 2017. S.B. 454 was referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee and H.B. 4761 was referred to the House Insurance Committee.
Description
S.B. 454 and H.B. 4761 are identical bills that would repeal Michigan’s Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act.
Background
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2013, the Federal and State insurance exchanges provides abortion coverage as a built-in benefit unless states pass legislation to remove it. Since insurance purchased on the exchanges is often purchased with tax subsidies, a law was needed to remove abortion coverage from the insurance plans in order to ensure that taxpayers weren’t paying for abortions with their tax dollars.
History
The Michigan legislature passed the law to remove abortion as a built-in benefit in insurance plans and make abortion coverage an optional rider in December of 2012, however, Governor Snyder vetoed that bills. RLM then formed No Taxes for Abortion Insurance, a committee to initiate legislation via petition. Over 313,000 signatures were collected and the House and Senate once again voted to approve the legislation, which was then veto proof. It became law on December 11, 2013.
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Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Repeal
S.B. 454 – Sen. Curtis Hertel
H.B. 4761 – Rep. Christine Greig
Current Status
S.B. 454 and H.B. 4761 was introduced on June 14, 2017. S.B. 454 was referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee and H.B. 4761 was referred to the House Insurance Committee.
Description
S.B. 454 and H.B. 4761 are identical bills that would repeal Michigan’s Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act.
Background
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2013, the Federal and State insurance exchanges provides abortion coverage as a built-in benefit unless states pass legislation to remove it. Since insurance purchased on the exchanges is often purchased with tax subsidies, a law was needed to remove abortion coverage from the insurance plans in order to ensure that taxpayers weren’t paying for abortions with their tax dollars.
History
The Michigan legislature passed the law to remove abortion as a built-in benefit in insurance plans and make abortion coverage an optional rider in December of 2012, however, Governor Snyder vetoed that bills. RLM then formed No Taxes for Abortion Insurance, a committee to initiate legislation via petition. Over 313,000 signatures were collected and the House and Senate once again voted to approve the legislation, which was then veto proof. It became law on December 11, 2013.
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Abortion Requirements for Hospital
S.B. 453 – Sen. Rebekah Warren
H.B. 4765 – Rep. Leslie Love
Current Status
S.B. 453 and H.B. 4765 were introduced on June 14, 2017 and were referred to their respective Health Policy Committees.
Description
S.B. 453 and H.B. 4765 are identical bills that would require all Michigan hospitals permit abortions, contraception services, IVF and sterilizations to be performed on their premises.
Background
Many hospitals have a religious affiliation that prohibits abortion, sterilization, contraception, and IVF. This bill would override the hospital’s mission to deliver healthcare that is in-line with the doctrines of their faith. Requiring all hospitals to provide all types of “reproductive healthcare” is contrary to conscience protections and singles out certain procedures. Many hospitals are unequipped to perform every possible medical procedure, and they are not forced by law to provide them. Forcing hospitals to violate their conscience is bad medicine.
History
Genesys Hospital in Genesee county is a Catholic hospital that refused to sterilize a patient in 2015. The patient was scheduled to deliver her third child via C-section and wanted to be sterilized at the same time due to the fact that she had a brain tumor. The hospital denied her request, so she delivered at another hospital. The ACLU filed a complaint against the hospital.
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Whole Women’s Health Act
S.B. 451 – Sen. Rebekah Warren
Current Status
S.B. 451 and H.B. 4763 were introduced on June 14, 2017 and were referred to their respective Senate and House Health Policy Committees.
Description
S.B. 451 and H.B. 4763 are identical bills that would prevent any law that would cause an abortion clinic to close, increase their costs, or would cause a woman to travel greater distances to have an abortion. In addition, it would prevent any law that would require doctors to perform any medical service that the doctor deems unnecessary such as ultrasounds prior to abortions.
Background
These bills are intended to undo many of the health and safety laws that have been enacted over the years, including our abortion clinic licensing law. Unlike the Texas abortion clinic regulation recently struck down in court, Michigan’s health and safety laws and administrative rules serve the purpose of protecting women and maintaining standards of care.
History
In 2016, the Supreme Court ruled in Hellerstadt v Whole Women’s Health that the Texas abortion clinic licensing laws were too burdensome for the benefit they provided. In the decision, the court cited that since reported abortion complications (which are woefully underreported) were so low, the laws put in place by the Texas legislature were not necessary and therefore unconstitutional. The “benefit vs. burden” was created. This new standard essentially means that if the abortion industry feels that a law or rule is too burdensome, the imposing authority needs to prove there is a benefit that is greater than the burden it creates for the abortionist.
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The Unrestrained Physicians Act
H.B. 4762 – Rep. Vanessa Guerra
Current Status
H.B. 4762 was introduced on June 14, 2017 and was referred to the House Health Policy Committees.
Description
H.B. 4762 prevents any law or ordinance that would require doctors to give patients information if the doctor doesn’t feel it is appropriate for his or her patient. It also prevents any law or ordinance from preventing a medical procedure.
Background
H.B. 4762 is a preemptive strike against a dismemberment abortion ban or a 20-week pain-capable ban. It is also a preemptive strike against a requirement to have abortionists give women information about the abortion pill reversal protocol.
History
D&E (dismemberment) abortion bans and 20-week bans based on evidence of fetal pain have been passed in various states throughout the country. While Michigan doesn’t currently have either law in place, H.B. 4762 is hoping to prevent such laws. In addition, the abortion pill reversal protocol has been developed and has proved effective. A couple of states have passed laws requiring doctors who perform pill abortions to also provide information about reversal. Again, Michigan has yet to put that law into place, and H.B. 4762 would block such a law.
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Contraceptive Mandate
S.B. 458 – Rep. David Knezek
Current Status
S.B. 458 was introduced on June 14, 2017 and was referred to the Senate Insurance Committee.
Description
S.B. 458 is a state-level contraceptive mandate. This bill would require that all insurance policies sold in Michigan cover all contraceptives, intra-uterine devices (IUD), morning after pills and sterilizations free of charge.
Background
S.B. 458 is a preemptive strike against a possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which currently mandates contraceptive coverage for most health insurance plans.
History
The ACA imposed a nationwide mandate on all insurance companies to provide contraceptive coverage with no co-pays or deductible. Since it went into effect in 2013, there have been several lawsuits filled by various groups including RLM because some contraceptives are abortifacient. While RLM takes no position on true contraceptives, some contraceptives can cause early abortions by preventing implantation of the newly formed embryo. Those types of contraceptives are abortifacient and are opposed by RLM. The Little Sisters of the Poor and Hobby Lobby were the most notable cases. Both prevailed against the government and were relieved of the requirement to provide contraception against their firmly-held religious beliefs.
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Doctor Prescribed Death
H.B. 4461 – Rep. Tom Cochrane
H.B. 4462 – Rep. Kevin Hertel
Current Status
H.B. 4461 & H.B. 4462 were introduced on March 30, 2017 and were referred to the House Health Policy Committee.
Description
H.B. 4461 & H.B. 4462 would repeal the Michigan assisted suicide ban and legalize doctor-prescribed death (assisted suicide). The sponsors refer to the bill as “the death with dignity act.”
Background
H.B. 4661 allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to certain patients in order for the patient to end his/her life. The bill currently limits suicide to terminally ill patients 18 years of age or older. The bill requires that the patient request the lethal drugs in writing, but there are no requirement that the doctor be present when the patient takes the drugs. There is no follow-up if the patient decides not to take the drugs, so the drugs could fall into the wrong hands. Suicide cannot be listed as the cause of death on the death certificate, and patients do not have to notify their family members. In addition, the bill provides legal immunity from being fired for those doctors who participate in providing lethal drugs to their patients including doctors employed at Catholic or other religiously affiliated hospitals. However, H.B. 4662 does provide penalties for anyone who forges a request for lethal drugs and for anyone who coerces someone into requesting suicide drugs.
History
After Jack Kevorkian killed 130 people in the 1990s, the topic of assisted suicide was brought to the national forefront. There was a ballot initiative in Michigan in 1998 whereby assisted suicide was rejected by 71% of the voters. Michigan passed an assisted suicide ban in 2000. Since then, 6 states and the District of Columbia have legalized assisted suicide, and their regular suicide rates have increased. Several European countries have allowed physician prescribed death for years, and we are now beginning to see active euthanasia in some countries. These non-voluntary deaths at the hands of medical personnel have begun in include children.