As the Supreme Court considers a Mississippi abortion case that could overturn or undermine Roe v. Wade, a recent move from Michigan lawmakers shows why pro-lifers must also prepare to fight the battle for life on the state level.
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case centers around the 2018 Gestational Age Act, which restricted abortions after 15 weeks gestation, with life of the mother and fetal anomaly exceptions. If the Court upholds Mississippi’s law, then that could pave the way for states to enact pre-viability restrictions on abortion, redefining Roe’s fetal viability standard.
In anticipation of the Court potentially striking down Roe, however, a group of Democratic senators in Michigan have shown their willingness to ensure abortion remains legal in the state.
According to The Michigan Daily, Sen. Mallory McMorrow introduced Senate Bill 0732, a piece of legislation that would repeal existing state bans, and which would take effect if the Court overturned Roe. According to the Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood’s former research arm, Michigan is one of 26 states with laws restricting abortions, which would likely take effect again should the Court allow states to determine the legality of abortion for themselves.
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Michigan’s pro-life laws reportedly go back to the 1800s, forbidding the use of an instrument or any substance that has the intent “to procure the miscarriage” of a woman, unless the abortion is deemed medically necessary. But if Senate Bill 0732 passes, it would repeal these laws. The bill would also allow abortions beyond the arbitrary point of fetal “viability,” should a health care professional determine that termination is necessary “to protect the life or health of the pregnant individual.”
But as Live Action News has previously reported, it is never truly necessary to intentionally end the life of a preborn child to preserve the mother’s health. According to neonatologist Dr. Kendra Kolb, in situations where the pregnancy must end to save the woman’s life, the child is delivered prematurely, not purposely killed by abortion.
Dr. Kolb also explained that certain medical treatments (such as those for ectopic pregnancy) that indirectly cause the death of a preborn child should not be considered abortions.
Abortion violently ends the life of an innocent human and does nothing to safeguard the health of women.
Still, Michigan State Sen. Erika Geiss, one of the bill’s sponsors, praised the legislation’s introduction as if it somehow protects women and families. “Chipping away at reproductive health care and rights and reproductive justice is something that can affect every single person, every single household, every single family,” Geiss said.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, however, disagreed, expressing support for Michigan’s pro-life laws. “Michigan has terrific laws already in place,” he said. “They’ve been superseded by the former Supreme Court ruling. And if that is reversed then Michigan stands very well positioned.”
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