Landmark Supreme Court decision allows autonomy over reproductive medical decisions

LANSING — State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) introduced a resolution today to recognize the 47th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. The Roe decision enshrined protections nationwide for a woman’s freedom to make her own medical decisions about her body and health, without intrusion from the government.

“Reproductive freedom is vital to a woman’s health, economic security and ability to participate equally in society, and Roe is an integral part of that freedom,” said Brixie, co-chair of the PWC’s Women’s Health Task Force. “Every Michigander should have access to the high-quality, comprehensive health care they deserve without facing unnecessary, burdensome restrictions; nor should they fear violence, intimidation or harassment when making these deeply personal medical decisions.”

The decision on Roe v. Wade was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 22, 1973; but despite the 47 years of precedent, Michigan lawmakers have systematically chipped away at a woman’s access to safe, legal abortion. In October 2019, PWC Chair, state Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton) introduced the Michigan Reproductive Health Act to end these arbitrary limitations, including required parental consent for minors; mandatory waiting period after the patient has read state-directed counseling materials; and compulsory purchases of an additional insurance rider in the event a woman may need to access an abortion in the future.