(The Center Square) – After a Democrat questioned an abortion bill package known as the Reproductive Health Act, its passage might be in jeopardy.
The bill package, House Bills 4949-4959, aims to remove more restrictions on abortion after voters in 2022 approved Ballot Proposal 3 which added a state Constitutional right to “reproductive freedom.”
HB 4958 and 4959 aim to allow taxpayer-funded elective abortions. According to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency, if enacted into law, the latter bill would increase state Medicaid costs by between $2 million and $6 million because currently, Medicaid only pays for abortions in instances of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
Any abortions for other reasons aren’t currently eligible for federal Medicaid reimbursement and must be paid for with state funding.
Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, posted on social media opposition to the bills.
“In Health Committee today I will not cast a single vote to allow taxpayer money to fund elective abortions when those same dollars should be used to fulfill our duty to struggling seniors living in poverty.”
Whitsett continued:
“Elderly citizens across our state are forced daily to make unthinkable trade-offs just to survive- deciding between food, shelter, or the medications that literally keep them alive. The choice is simple – we can either fund essential care for seniors or fund elective abortions. I choose our elders.”
Democrats hold a political trifecta in Michigan and a 56-54 seat advantage in the House, but need nearly every party vote to push bills to the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
HBs 4953, 4954, and 4956 can’t take effect unless HB 4949 is also enacted. House Bill 4955 cannot take effect unless HB 4950 is also enacted.
Rep. Jamie Thompson, R- Brownstown, a licensed practical nurse, said the bills exceed what voters approved in November.
“The health and safety standards these bills demonize were not restrictive laws,” Thompson said in a statement. “They were productive in keeping women and children safe. I worry about what will happen to women seeking these procedures if we lower those standards.”
Whitmer welcomed the package’s partial passage out of the Health Policy Committee despite its unclear future.
“Today, we took an important step forward on the Reproductive Health Act, commonsense legislation to repeal politically motivated, medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion that criminalize doctors providing medical care, jack up out of pocket health care costs, and impose needless regulations on health centers,” Whitmer said in a statement.
