Whitmer, MI Leaders React To U.S. Justices Overturning Roe V. Wade

MICHIGAN — Although abortion is still legal in Michigan after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision Friday, that can change at any moment if a judge decides to lift a temporary injunction blocking the enforcement of a state's 1931 law banning abortion.

"I want every Michigander to know that I am more determined than ever to protect access to safe, legal abortion," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. "I will fight like hell to protect every Michiganders’ right to make decisions about their own body with the advice of a medical professional they trust. I will not give in or give up for my kids, your kids, and the future of our great state."

Whitmer asked the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately nullify the 1931 abortion ban law by recognizing a constitutional right to an abortion under the state's constitution.

The court agreed to take up the lawsuit but had a few questions for Whitmer, namely whether the court needs to intervene after a judge granted a preliminary injunction in a similar lawsuit from Planned Parenthood.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she will not use her office to defend the state against a separate lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood against the state's 1931 abortion law. State Republicans filed a motion asking a court to reverse its May 17 order that issued the preliminary injunction stopping immediate enforcement of the state's abortion ban.

"The overturning of Roe is not just the loss of a right, it is the erosion of our status as equal citizens under the law," Nessel said. "Now we must do what our courts have failed to do: we must act to ensure that women are not permanently relegated to second-class citizens in this country. I will continue to fight for a women’s right to choose with the full weight of my office."

Michigan's Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said a decision to overturn a woman's right to an abortion could lead to future reproductive health problems.

"I am concerned about how this decision will negatively impact health outcomes for women and children, particularly women and children of color as they have greater disparities in health outcomes in general," Bagdasarian said. "With abortion not legally available, women are more likely to undergo unregulated procedures that can jeopardize their future reproductive health and in some cases be life-threatening."

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While may Michigan leaders were disappointed in the decision, some pro-life supporters welcomed the news.

"This monumental day gives the states the ability to restore legal rights to the unborn hopefully, in turn, ceasing the unjust slaughtering of the innocent in our country," Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said. "We know that one day Michigan’s 1931 abortion law will be enforced again, and the unborn will be protected against ableism, sexism and racism."