Michigan

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Gretchen Whitmer
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been a vocal advocate for reproductive freedom in Michigan, taking significant actions to protect reproductive freedoms and expand access to reproductive health care.
michigan.gov/whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor
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The Reproductive Health Act
In November 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer championed and signed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) into law. This package of bills repeals politically motivated, medically unnecessary statutes that criminalized nurses and doctors, forced health care providers to close, raised costs for patients, and restricted access to abortion.
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The Reproductive Health Act

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As governor, I firmly believe that every person should have the right to make their own decisions about their reproductive health. Reproductive freedom is fundamental to gender equality and bodily autonomy. I will continue to fight for policies that protect and expand access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all Michigan residents.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan

KEY ACTIONS

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    Protecting Veterans’ Access to Health Care
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  September 8, 2025

    Protecting Veterans’ Access to Health Care

    In September 2025, Michigan joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) proposed federal rule that would eliminate veterans’ and their families’ access to abortion care. In 2022, the Biden Administration implemented the “Reproductive Health Services” Rule, which allows veterans and their survivors and dependents to access abortion services at VA health care centers in situations where the patient’s life or health is threatened and in cases of self-reported rape or incest. The Rule also permits veterans and their survivors and dependents to access abortion counseling at VA health centers. On August 4, 2025, the Trump Administration published a proposed rule to formally undo the Biden Administration’s 2022 rule.
    Challenging Mifepristone Restrictions
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  August 20, 2025

    Challenging Mifepristone Restrictions

    In August 2025, Michigan joined a multi-state coalition in filing a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove medically unnecessary, burdensome restrictions on mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication. The petition states that “given mifepristone’s well-established safety record in the United States over the last 25 years, its critical importance for abortion care and miscarriage management in Petitioner States, and the undue burdens the Mifepristone REMS Program places on patient access and the health care delivery system, the Mifepristone REMS Program should be removed in its entirety, or alternatively, FDA should exercise its discretion not to enforce the Mifepristone REMS Program (or elements thereof) in Petitioner States.”
    Lawsuit Protecting Planned Parenthood Funding
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 29, 2025

    Lawsuit Protecting Planned Parenthood Funding

    Michigan joined 22 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the 2025 budget reconciliation provision that prohibits Planned Parenthood health centers and a small number of other reproductive health care providers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for one year if they meet certain qualifications. In the lawsuit, the States have argued that that the defunding provision violates a number of constitutional requirements, including the Spending Clause of the Constitution, will have a harmful impact on their states’ residents, and violates Planned Parenthood’s First Amendment rights.  This lawsuit aims to protect Medicaid patients’ access to reproductive health care by keeping long-standing, essential Medicaid health care providers in the program.
    Protecting Health Data Against Federal Weaponization
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 2, 2025

    Protecting Health Data Against Federal Weaponization

    In July 2025, Michigan joined a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to provide unchecked access to individual personal health data to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    Emergency Reproductive Health Care Protections
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  June 24, 2025

    Emergency Reproductive Health Care Protections

    In June 2024, the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration took action to protect full access to reproductive health care by sending a notice from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to Michigan hospitals, reiterating their responsibility to continue providing adequate and appropriate reproductive care to patients, including emergency abortion care.
    Challenging Abortion Restrictions in Court
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  June 4, 2025

    Challenging Abortion Restrictions in Court

    The state of Michigan has taken legal action to challenge and question the constitutionality of various abortion restrictions – such as a 24-hour waiting period, a ban on advanced practice clinicians providing abortion care, mandatory informed consent requirements, and mandatory screening provisions. More specifically, Attorney General Nessel has taken the legal position that such restrictions violate the Michigan Freedom for All Act amendment passed in 2022 and are discriminatory.
    Women’s Health Week
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  May 12, 2025

    Women’s Health Week

    In 2025, Governor Whitmer proclaimed the week of May 12 as Women’s Health Week, “promoting the work Michigan has done to protect Michiganders from attacks on their reproductive freedom, basic health care, and Medicaid coverage.”
    Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Expanding Reproductive Freedom, Reducing Barriers to Affording Contraception and Care in Michigan
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
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    Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Expanding Reproductive Freedom, Reducing Barriers to Affording Contraception and Care in Michigan

    Governor Whitmer signed 16 bills that will expand reproductive freedom in Michigan, including a bill that allows pharmacists to directly prescribe and dispense contraceptives to patients. This package of bills ensures women can more easily access critical health care by lowering costs and cutting unnecessary red tape. House Bills 5435 and 5436 enable pharmacists to directly prescribe birth control and mandate insurers to cover these contraceptives, enhancing both access and affordability. House Bill 5636 supports maternal health outcomes by defining and providing licensure of freestanding birth centers, which provide midwifery care, reproductive and sexual health care, and newborn and postpartum care.
    Reproductive Freedom Package: 16 Bills
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  January 21, 2025

    Reproductive Freedom Package: 16 Bills

    In January 2025, Governor Whitmer signed a legislative package of 16 bills into law, which expands reproductive freedom, increases access to affordable contraception, reduces barriers to reproductive and maternal health care, and reduces health care costs.
    Michigan Program – “Take Control of Your Birth Control”
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  October 1, 2024

    Michigan Program – “Take Control of Your Birth Control”

    In October 2024, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched the “Take Control of Your Birth Control” initiative, which makes birth control and STI prevention supplies available for free across the state of Michigan. Locations throughout the state provide OTC contraceptives and emergency contraception, as well as condoms, at no cost. The initiative brought free contraception and reproductive health resources to all 83 counties through more than 440 partner sites, In total, the program distributed 460,000 resources, including: 60,000 doses of emergency contraception, 60,000 doses of oral contraceptive pills, 340,000 condoms, and 7,300 pregnancy tests.
    Amicus Brief in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Amicus Brief in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine

    Governor Whitmer and 21 other governors filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of abortion rights in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. In this brief, the Reproductive Freedom Alliance governors argued that if the Court reverses FDA approval of Mifepristone and limits access to the vital medicine, it could undermine Governors’ ability to provide adequate healthcare services and would have far-reaching implications beyond reproductive healthcare.
    Expanded Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Expanded Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

    In May 2023, Governor Whitmer expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which previously only protected individuals against employment discrimination if the abortion was to “save the life of the mother.” This new public law extends those protections to anyone who terminates a pregnancy, regardless of reasoning.
    Executive Directive Affirming Reproductive Freedoms
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Executive Directive Affirming Reproductive Freedoms

    On December 14, 2022, Governor Whitmer signed an executive directive instructing Michigan departments and agencies to review aspects of reproductive rights that fall within their jurisdiction and identify ways they can protect and increase protections for the fundamental right to reproductive healthcare under the Michigan Constitution.
    New Protocols to Ensure EMS Responders Receive Sexual Assault Training, Permit Carry of Emergency Contraception
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    New Protocols to Ensure EMS Responders Receive Sexual Assault Training, Permit Carry of Emergency Contraception

    On November 2, 2022, Governor Whitmer announced that emergency responders will now be able to carry emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, ensuring crucial and appropriate reproductive and medical care to sexual assault survivors.
    Called On Big Tech To Protect Data And Digital Privacy In Light Of Report Of Law Enforcement Using Personal Health Data To Go After Women Seeking Reproductive Care
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Called On Big Tech To Protect Data And Digital Privacy In Light Of Report Of Law Enforcement Using Personal Health Data To Go After Women Seeking Reproductive Care

    On August 31, 2022, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to the leaders of Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft calling on them to take additional steps to protect people’s health data and to be more transparent about what data they are providing and to whom.
    Preliminary Injunction Against The 1931 Abortion Ban
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Preliminary Injunction Against The 1931 Abortion Ban

    On August 19, 2022, the Governor’s team won a preliminary injunction against the 1931 abortion ban, keeping abortion legal in Michigan until the Michigan Supreme Court takes up the Governor’s lawsuit.
    Submitted Legal Brief To Prevent Enforcement Of Extreme 1931 Abortion Ban
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Submitted Legal Brief To Prevent Enforcement Of Extreme 1931 Abortion Ban

    On August 4, 2022, Governor Whitmer filed an amicus brief with the Michigan Supreme Court in support of preserving the statewide injunction issued in mid-May that prevents enforcement of Michigan’s extreme 1931 law banning abortion even in cases of rape or incest, and criminalizes nurses and doctors who offer reproductive care.
    Filed Renewed Request With Michigan Supreme Court To Protect Right To Abortion
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Filed Renewed Request With Michigan Supreme Court To Protect Right To Abortion

    On August 4, 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged the Michigan Supreme Court for a second time to immediately consider her lawsuit from April, which asks the court to clarify that the Michigan State Constitution protects the right to abortion.
    Called On The FDA To Reduce Barriers To Medication Abortion
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 22, 2024

    Called On The FDA To Reduce Barriers To Medication Abortion

    On July 21, 2022, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to remove burdensome restrictions on reproductive health care, specifically mifepristone, a safe, effective medication abortion pill.
    Urged President Biden To Make Birth Control Available Over the Counter
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Urged President Biden To Make Birth Control Available Over the Counter

    On July 11, 2022, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden urging him to make birth control available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription, in order to remove a costly barrier to accessing essential medication.
    Called On The Federal Government To Clarify And Protect Michiganders’ Right To Cross The Us-Canada Border To Seek Reproductive Health
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Called On The Federal Government To Clarify And Protect Michiganders’ Right To Cross The Us-Canada Border To Seek Reproductive Health

    On July 7, 2022, Gov. Whitmer called on the federal government in a public letter to clarify and protect Michiganders’ right to cross the US-Canada border to seek reproductive health care or prescription medication including medication abortion.
    Governor Whitmer, MDHHS Launched Public Effort To Educate Michiganders, Health Care Providers On The Difference Between Emergency Contraception And Medication Abortion
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Governor Whitmer, MDHHS Launched Public Effort To Educate Michiganders, Health Care Providers On The Difference Between Emergency Contraception And Medication Abortion

    On July 6, 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched a public effort to educate Michiganders and health care providers about the difference between emergency contraception and medication abortion. The new public effort disseminates information, in multiple languages, about the differences between medication abortion and emergency contraception to all local health departments throughout Michigan, health care providers throughout the state, hospitals, community health clinics, university health systems, and more. The public effort also provides information on the availability and coverage of the different medications.
    Calls On Michigan’s Insurer To Ensure Reproductive Health Care Coverage
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Calls On Michigan’s Insurer To Ensure Reproductive Health Care Coverage

    On June 29, 2022, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to Michigan’s insurers urging them to take steps to ensure Michiganders have coverage for reproductive health care to the fullest extent possible under current coverage.
    Additional Notice To The Court Urging Them To Immediately Consider Her Lawsuit
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Additional Notice To The Court Urging Them To Immediately Consider Her Lawsuit

    On June 27, 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent an additional notice to the Michigan Supreme Court urging them to decide if Michigan’s state constitution protects the right to abortion. She sent the notice as county prosecutors and health providers misunderstood the current legal status of abortion in Michigan, impeding upon lawful abortion access.
    Repealed The 1931 Abortion Ban
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Repealed The 1931 Abortion Ban

    Governor Whitmer championed and signed bipartisan legislation repealing the state’s 1931 law banning abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and criminalizing nurses and doctors who offer reproductive care.
    Reproductive Health Act
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Reproductive Health Act

    Governor Whitmer signed legislation repealing politically motivated, medically unnecessary statutes that criminalized nurses and doctors, forced health care providers to close, raised costs for patients, and restricted access to abortion. This law repeals the requirement that patients buy a separate insurance rider for abortion, so-called “rape insurance”, repeals Michigan’s TRAP Laws, repeals a 1931 law that would have criminalized nurses and doctors for prescribing medication abortion including mifepristone, and ensures students at Michigan public universities have access to accurate information about all their reproductive health options.
    Michigan Family Protection Act
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan
    •  July 19, 2024

    Michigan Family Protection Act

    Governor Whitmer signed the nine bill package that protects IVF, decriminalized surrogacy contracts, ensures access to legal and medical resources for assisted reproductive technologies, and ensures equal treatment and safeguards parental rights for LGBTQ+ families.
    Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills Decriminalizing Surrogacy and Protecting IVF
  • Michigan
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    Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills Decriminalizing Surrogacy and Protecting IVF

    Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Michigan Family Protection Act, a package of commonsense bills that make it easier for Michiganders to start a family, save time and money on government paperwork, and be treated equally under the law. The package repeals an unjust ban that made Michigan the only state in the nation to criminalize surrogacy contracts, and better protects surrogates, parents, and children so that more Michiganders have the support they need to start a family.

    IN THE NEWS

  • See More
    • Gov. Whitmer signs 16 bills into law expanding reproductive rights
  • The Michigan Daily
  • Michigan
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  • The Michigan Daily
  • Michigan
    •  January 28, 2025 • Alyssa Tisch

    Gov. Whitmer signs 16 bills into law expanding reproductive rights

    Alyssa Tisch

    The bills covered a range of policy changes intended to expand access to reproductive health care. Of these bills, House Bills 5435 and 5436 aim to increase access to contraceptives specifically by allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control and mandating coverage for these contraceptives by insurance providers.
    Whitmer hits Kristi Noem and other GOP officials over contraception bill
  • Detroit Free Press
  • Michigan
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  • Detroit Free Press
  • Michigan
    •  June 9, 2024 • Savannah Kuchar

    Whitmer hits Kristi Noem and other GOP officials over contraception bill

    Savannah Kuchar

    Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer criticized Republican leaders on Sunday after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said her fellow GOP lawmakers support access to birth control, but Senate Republicans blocked contraception legislation last week.
    Gov. Whitmer discusses Democrats’ efforts to protect reproductive rights
  • PBS
  • Michigan
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  • PBS
  • Michigan
    •  April 1, 2024 • Anna Nawaz & Ali Schmitz

    Gov. Whitmer discusses Democrats’ efforts to protect reproductive rights

    Anna Nawaz & Ali Schmitz

    Since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, Democratic leaders have worked to protect reproductive rights in their states. In Michigan, voters enshrined abortion rights in the state’s constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for several reproductive rights measures and signed new laws protecting IVF and decriminalizing surrogacy contracts. Whitmer joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.
    Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs Reproductive Health Act
  • CBS News Detroit
  • Michigan
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  • CBS News Detroit
  • Michigan
    •  November 21, 2023 • CBS News Detroit

    Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs Reproductive Health Act

    CBS News Detroit

    Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a package of bills known as the Reproductive Health Act
    Whitmer signs pared-down Reproductive Health Act into law
  • Michigan Advance
  • Michigan
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  • Michigan Advance
  • Michigan
    •  November 21, 2023 • Jon King

    Whitmer signs pared-down Reproductive Health Act into law

    Jon King

    Underneath a digital billboard that said, “Today we are taking another bold step forward to ensure Michigan laws reflect Michigan values,” Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed into law bills that repeal several abortion restrictions in Michigan.
    Whitmer strikes 1931 abortion ban from Michigan law
  • Associated Press
  • Michigan
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  • Associated Press
  • Michigan
    •  April 5, 2023 • Joey Cappelletti

    Whitmer strikes 1931 abortion ban from Michigan law

    Joey Cappelletti

    Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Wednesday repealing Michigan’s abortion ban.

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