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A group of Michigan lawmakers have introduced a measure to roll back a controversial abortion restriction that went into effect this past spring. The new law requires women in the state to purchase a separate insurance policy for abortion coverage, even in cases of rape or incest.
The measure has been widely derided as “rape insurance,” since it essentially forces victims of sexual assault to pay out-of-pocket for an abortion procedure unless they thought ahead and purchased a separate insurance rider. During the legislative fight over the bill, State Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D) disclosed her own experience with sexual assault to explain why she was opposed to the proposed law. Now, Whitmer continues to fight back.
“This law hurts all women,” Whitmer said at a press conference this week to announce the repeal effort, which she is spearheading. “Not just women who are victims of incest or rape, or who experience the gut-wrenching effect of a miscarriage, but every single woman or man who has to make the decision about whether or not to pre-purchase abortion rider insurance for the women who are covered by their insurance, including their daughters.”
Whitmer also called the law “one of the most misogynistic laws I’ve ever seen.”
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The lawmakers who introduced the repeal effort acknowledged that it’s unlikely they’ll succeed in the Michigan legislature, which is dominated by abortion opponents. Indeed, now that they’ve successfully restricted women’s abortion coverage, conservative lawmakers continue to introduce other stringent anti-choice measures. Earlier this month, a group of 16 male politicians introduced a radical “heartbeat” measure that would criminalize nearly all abortions.
Democrats Fight To Repeal Michigan's New 'Rape Insurance' Law | ThinkProgress
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