Michigan Dems hold first hearing on 'Reproductive Health Act'
Democratic lawmakers hoping to pass a "Reproductive Health Act" in Michigan aimed at removing laws targeting abortion gave doctors the mic during the first legislative hearing on bills to repeal laws that abortion rights proponents say impose cumbersome barriers on patients and clinics.
State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, kicked off the hearing, saying that those laws were crafted by politicians without consideration of the health care needs of those seeking abortions. "We are not going to repeat the mistakes of the past," she said.
While a ballot proposal passed by voters last fall created a state constitutional right to seek abortions, Pohutksy said the proposed bills would ensure those in Michigan can exercise it. "A right is not a right if you cannot access it," she said.
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.
The House Committee on Health Policy heard from several obstetrician-gynecologists who called the current laws medically unnecessary and urged lawmakers to take them off the books. A couple of OBGYNs who spoke alongside abortion rights opponents defended some of the laws, saying requirements don't burden patients.
But one acknowledged that Michigan law distinguishes abortion from other procedures when asked if there are procedures other than abortion that mandate a 24-hour disclosure and waiting period.
"To my knowledge, no," said Dr. Michelle Monticello. She tried to continue, but Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, who chairs the committee, cut her off. "Thank you, you've answered the question."
"Reproductive Health Act": Dems to end 24-hour abortion waiting period, ban on Medicaid funding of procedure
Michigan's 24-hour waiting period
In Michigan, those seeking abortions must complete and print an informed consent form 24 hours before the procedure. The process entails reviewing materials such as parenting information.
OBGYNs who testified Thursday said they've had to turn patients away because they didn't have a printer to fill out the form or only allotted time for one visit to a clinic. They also said the materials patients must review such as illustrations of fetal development can be troubling for patients who wanted to continue their pregnancies but found they were unviable.
Health insurance coverage for abortions
Some patients have also been hit with large bills for an abortion because their insurance didn't cover the procedure.
Amanda Mazur, who lives in rural northwest Michigan, told the committee that she didn't know she needed a special rider for her insurance for her abortion which she sought after severe problems with her pregnancy and learned there was no possibility her baby would survive if she did give birth. The hospital bill was more than $26,000.
Other abortion-specific laws targeted
The bill package targets other abortion-specific regulations such as those for clinics abortion rights proponents say have made it harder for those in rural parts of the state to open.
One repeal not included in this package but proposed in past versions of the Reproductive Health Act that stalled under GOP control of the Legislature would have removed Michigan's law requiring parental consent or a court waiver for minors seeking abortions. Pohutsky cited concerns that its inclusion this time would slow down the rest of the package.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Dems hold hearing on abortion-related bills
