MI State Senate passes Anti-Abortion Bill - Fox 2 News Headlines

BY MAURIELLE LUE
FOX 2 News

LANSING, Mich (WJBK) -- The Republican controlled Michigan Senate passed an Anti-Abortion Bill that could roll out extensive new requirements for women's health care centers in Michigan

"They could really completely foreclose a woman's access to abortion care even in the cases of rape, incest, fetal anomaly, or serious health concerns to the mother.  We're also talking about women with children who have families who might be facing a dangerous pregnancy who now have to carry a child to term they know is not viable outside of the womb," says Desiree Cooper of Planned Parenthood

Rape and incest victims are no exceptions. The pending new law requires patients to undergo more consultations and physical exams.  Twenty-eight out of Michigan's 32 abortion providers could be forced to shut down... if they don't get new licenses and mandatory renovations like building new operating rooms.. which they say they don't need.

These purposed new laws make it difficult for women in rural Michigan counties to receive doctor care they need through technology even though 21 out of 83 Michigan counties don't even have one OB/GYN.

The new bills also include amoral objection clause   -- which means any doctor can refuse contraceptive care based on their own personal beliefs.

"Well I'm not real comfortable with a healthcare need that a woman needs so I don't have to provide it. That could extend to birth control emergency contraception and AIDS patients," says Cooper

Ed Rivet of Right to Life Michigan says this is a step in the right direction.

"Any health facility that's performing hundreds of surgical procedures a year should meet minimum safety standards.. and they are not.  They are not inspected.. they are not licensed. We issued a 52 page report that showed complaints being registered with the state as well as other anecdotal testimony before committees over the last 25 years in  this chamber," says Rivet

Once signed by the governor, the new law will restrict abortions from insurance coverage. Which means women will have to anticipate being raped or molested years in advance and purchase a separate healthcare rider on their insurance policy.

"I think woman really need to wake up make their voices heard. There is nothing that's done that can't be undone if they are willing to vote, if they are willing to stand up, if they are willing to petition, and if they are really willing to make it known that we cannot have politicians we don't want politicians being our doctors, says Cooper