Whitmer Signs Executive Order, Instructing State Officials To Protect Reproductive Health

MICHIGAN — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Wednesday directing state departments and agencies to protect reproductive health amid an anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

The order said since Michiganders have a guaranteed right to bodily integrity under the state's constitution, state officials must increase opportunities to protect reproductive health, including contraception, long-acting reversible contraception and emergency contraception.

In addition, under the order, state officials will not be able to help authorities in any investigation over abortions.

"In preparation for this very real possibility, I am signing an executive directive instructing all state departments and agencies not to cooperate with authorities from other states who want to prosecute women seeking legal abortion care," Whitmer said. "Also, the directive instructs departments and agencies to increase protections for reproductive healthcare within their purview and offer residents comprehensive information about the cost and availability of care."

A Michigan Court of Claims judge temporality blocked the state's 1931 abortion ban bill from going into immediate effect if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. In addition, Judge Elizabeth Gleicher said a Planned Parenthood lawsuit against the state was likely to succeed on the argument that abortion rights are protected in the state's constitution under provisions that protect bodily integrity.

Whitmer asked the Michigan Supreme Court in a lawsuit to quickly intervene and recognize abortion rights in the state's constitution.

The court agreed to take up the lawsuit but needed Whitmer to answer questions first, such as if the court needs to pick up the lawsuit after Gleicher's preliminary ruling.