WATCH on MSNBC: Gov. Whitmer Discusses Major Lawsuit to Protect Reproductive Rights in Michigan
With Roe v. Wade Under Threat, Democratic Governors Across the Country Taking Action to Protect Reproductive Rights
Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took unprecedented action to defend reproductive rights, filing a lawsuit to challenge Michigan’s extreme 1931 abortion ban — which has no exceptions for rape or incest.
“The assault on women’s privacy rights and bodily autonomy … is a very clear and present danger,” said Gov. Whitmer on MSNBC today. “We do not have time to waste or risk.”
But as the Supreme Court weighs overturning Roe v. Wade, Democratic governors have been the last line of defense for abortion rights — and Gov. Whitmer isn’t the only one taking action.
Here are a few examples of how Democratic governors are protecting and expanding access to abortion rights in their states:
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act, guaranteeing the right to abortion under state law and blocking public entities from denying or restricting that right.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she wants to create a “safe harbor” for abortion rights in New York and is developing a patients’ bill of rights to be posted in doctors’ offices and clinics so that women will know their rights and legal protections.
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation making access to abortion a “fundamental right” no matter what the Supreme Court rules and requiring insurance coverage for abortion, contraception, and related medical care.
- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill to overturn a dormant 1969 ban on most abortion procedures.
- Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a law ensuring that survivors of sexual assault can access emergency contraception in emergency rooms. He also signed the Trust Nevada Women Act, removing outdated abortion restrictions.
- Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation expanding rural access by allowing physician assistants and nurse practitioners to perform abortions or prescribe pregnancy-ending drugs.
- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation that bans deceptive advertising designed to mislead the public about reproductive health care services.
- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed several bills that would’ve restricted access to reproductive health care and called on the legislature to end Wisconsin’s 172-year-old ban on abortion.
###