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Urge Governor Granholm to veto redundant bill with no protection for women's health
Michigan's legislature doesn't seem to know when to quit wasting our taxpayer dollars on abortion bans. After courts struck down the third attempt by the state of Michigan to ban certain abortion procedures, the Michigan Legislature has decided to respond by acting on yet another abortion ban bill; this time the bill mirrors federal policy that is already the law. The Senate passed the bill on the January 22 Roe v. Wade anniversary. The House passed the bill in a late-night session on May 27.
Ask Governor Granholm to veto this bill, which accomplishes nothing but political grandstanding. Michigan leaders should put the focus on commonsense prevention policies, including equal pharmacy access for contraception and comprehensive sex education, that prevent the need for abortion.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please veto SB 776
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I urge you to veto Senate Bill 776, an unnecessary and redundant bill, which does not contain protection for women's health and future fertility or for victims of rape and incest.
The need for abortion can be reduced through commonsense policies. Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars with redundant legislation, we should work together to increase access to health care and family planning, expand insurance coverage of contraceptives, and teach our young people to protect themselves and make responsible decisions with comprehensive sex education.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
May 28, 2008
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On June 4, 2007, in Northland Family Planning Clinic, Inc. v. Cox, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit unanimously affirmed a September 12, 2005, U.S. district court ruling striking down the Michigan Live Birth Definition Act (LBDA). The statute redefines when "live birth" occurs for purposes of all of Michigan's laws, including its criminal laws. Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance and Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan were plaintiffs in the case. This is the first federal court ruling on an abortion case since Carhart II.
Attorney General Mike Cox and STTOP filed petitions with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to review the Sixth Circuit's ruling. On January 7, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court issued orders denying the petitions for certiorari in both appeals, striking down the law in its entirety. This was the third unsuccessful attempt by the state of Michigan since 1996 to ban certain abortion procedures.
In response, the Michigan Legislature is making its fourth attempt to ban abortion procedures. This time, the legislation mirrors federal policy that is already the law of the land. This bill is yet another attempt by extremists to play politics with women's health and lives. This bill will not prevent one abortion in the state of Michigan. Instead, it dictates what medical procedure doctors can perform to protect pregnant women with serious health problems.
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