Michigan Democrat lawmaker's objections could derail proposed state abortion law changes

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer traveled across Michigan this week to build momentum for repealing abortion restrictions as the effort faces a major obstacle: the objection of a single Democratic lawmaker who could derail changes abortion rights advocates say would expand access in the state.

Abortion rights groups have long called for a so-called "Reproductive Health Act" in Michigan. Proponents argue that such a law would reflect the will of voters in the state who passed Proposal 3 last fall to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution. Among the proposed changes, the bill package would repeal Michigan's 24-hour waiting period required before an abortion, the state's informed consent law that requires reviewing specific materials before the procedure and a law allowing private and public insurance providers not to cover abortions.

But state Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, who said she voted for Proposal 3 sees the legislation that her fellow Democrats introduced as going beyond what Michigan voters wanted last year.

"We're going a bit far," she said. Democrats hold a one-vote majority in the state House. Assuming all GOP lawmakers oppose abortion-related legislation, a single Democratic no vote would stymie the package.

Whitsett opposes key parts of the current legislation, such as repealing Michigan's 24-hour waiting period for those seeking abortions. She said she has heard from constituents in her district who support abortion rights who — like her — also oppose legislation to require Medicaid to cover the cost of an abortion.

"They did not agree to pay for it," she said.

Whitsett said she voted for Proposal 3 because she believes in safe and accessible abortions.

"I myself have had a termination. I have been raped. I've gone through this process. So yes, I believe that that should be there for someone," she said.

Whitmer held two roundtables this week with Democratic lawmakers, abortion rights advocates and providers and faith leaders to talk about repealing more abortion laws in Michigan in addition to the state's 1931 abortion ban.

On her second stop in Birmingham, Whitmer kicked off the discussion by celebrating the passage of Proposal 3 last fall. "But we also know that in this moment, the people of Michigan had certain expectations of us and there are still many barriers that are on the books with regard to a woman being able to exercise this fundamental right," she said.

Clare Molnar, who sat in a circle with Whitmer and other roundtable participants with her newborn, shared she had two abortions, one of which stemmed from a fetal abnormality that complicated the pregnancy and was ultimately covered by her insurance she said because of a technicality.

"If it hadn't been, it was a $36,000 bill," she said. "That's an insane amount of money for anyone, including someone like me with relative financial privilege."

"I know there's currently a representative right now holding up some progress because one of her concerns is that Medicaid funds will be allocated towards abortions," Molnar said. "Abortion in my eyes is right, not a privilege. If someone who is insured via Medicaid and can't get an abortion, that's not just."

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Asked how she plans to overcome Whitsett's objections, Whitmer said she would encourage those who participated in the roundtable discussions to reach out to lawmakers and said she wants to see the entire package on her desk to sign this fall.

"I don't want to postpone any of it," Whitmer told reporters. "I'll sign every piece that hits my desk though."

Whitsett said she has had conversations with Democrats leading the effort in state Legislature about her concerns and said she is waiting to see what changes if any they might make to the legislation.

"My job is not to just go along to get along with everybody and blindly vote and complain at home to my husband and say, 'You know, I don't feel good about this or this made me uncomfortable.' What good is that?" she asked.

The Michigan House's Health Policy Committee sent the legislative package to change the state's abortion laws to the full House for a vote last month. It hasn't come up for a vote since then. Earlier this week, the state Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services heard testimony on their chamber's version of the legislation.

Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Democratic Karen Whitsett could derail abortion law changes