In 2012, Governor Rick Snyder signed a law that prevents women seeking abortions through medication to see their doctor via telecommunication. That law is set to expire at the end of December.
The state Senate passed a bill on Thursday that gets rid of the expiration date on the law.
Lori Carpentier is the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Michigan. She says this could restrict women’s access to health care, and reduce access to earlier, safer abortions.
“This is an attack on women who are in rural Michigan, and there are a lot of them, and we have a real shortage of OBGYNs in the state. And this would further limit their access to safe and legal abortions,” she says.
Supporters say abortion medication can be dangerous and should be overseen, in person, by a doctor.
Genevieve Marnon is the Legislative Director for Right to Life of Michigan. Right to Life – an anti-abortion group – spoke in favor of the bill during a committee meeting.
“It’s not a matter of women not being able to access a medical abortion, it’s really a matter of safety,” she says.
The legislation now heads to the state House.
