Right to Life of Michigan Files Lawsuit to Repeal Voter-Approved Abortion Rights Amendment as “Reproductive Health Act” Goes to Whitmer’s Desk

LANSING, Nov. 9, 2023 ~ As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is set to sign a cut-down package of abortion access bills, Republican lawmakers, Right to Life of Michigan, and other anti-abortion organizations filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday looking to repeal a voter-approved state Constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to abortion access.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, argues the amendment is “unconstitutional,” though Whitmer spokesperson Stacey LaRouche said that “right-wing organizations and radical Republicans” are resorting to fighting in courts due to anti-abortion policies being unpopular with voters in recent elections. The amendment that enshrined reproductive freedom, including access to abortions, contraception, and infertility care, was approved by 57% of Michigan voters.

“Michiganders spoke loud and clear in the last election when they voted overwhelmingly to protect the constitutional freedom for people to make their own decisions about their bodies,” LaRouche said.

This comes as the State Legislature approved the “Reproductive Health Act,” a group of bills that would remove building codes considered “unnecessary” that make opening new abortion clinics difficult, allow people to sue if they believe their reproductive rights have been infringed upon, lift a ban on intact dilation and extraction procedures used in the late stages of pregnancy, and repeal a law stopping private insurance companies from covering abortion unless patients pay extra for a “rider.”

State Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), State Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa), and State Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) were the lawmakers listed as plaintiffs in the case.