LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 4, 2024) — This month, Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) hosted a series of virtual town halls on Senate Democrats’ Freedom to Plan legislation, a comprehensive bill package to reduce financial barriers to contraception and protect the fundamental right to bodily autonomy. Joined by reproductive health experts, the Freedom to Plan town halls offered Senate Democrats the opportunity to directly engage with Michigan residents who will benefit from the passage of this critical bill package, which is comprised of Senate Bills 973, 974, 987, 988, and 1006.
“The freedom to plan a family, a future, and a life of your own is a right that every Michigander deserves. Contraceptives put your choice in your hands, and this option shouldn’t just be available to those who can afford it,” said Sen. Cavanagh, lead sponsor of the Freedom to Plan Act. “Expanding access to contraception is just one step to ensure that family planning remains in the hands of the people that it affects most. I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to our dialogue and shared narrative insight into the tangible, human impact of this important legislation.”
The first town hall kicked off on Sept. 23, and the final event took place today, Oct. 4. The panelists included Sens. Cavanagh, Irwin, and Anthony; Melina Brann, Director of Government Relations for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM); Ashlea Phenicie, Chief Advocacy Officer for PPAM; and Drs. Suha Syed, Neha Thawani, and T.J. Klein, all representing the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The panelists highlighted the technical scope of what the Freedom to Plan package would accomplish legislatively. They also discussed the bills within the context of civil rights and reproductive health advocacy, touching on the history of the issue and anticipated societal impact of the package. Hearing personal narratives from constituents and healthcare providers, Senate Democrats and their constituents gained firsthand insight into the real human impact this legislation will have on Michigan residents.
“In recent years, we’ve seen attacks on reproductive freedoms strengthen across our nation, so it’s all the more important that at the state level, we have conversations on what we can do to make sure that people in Michigan — and their reproductive rights — are protected,” said Sen. Irwin. “It’s a tremendous honor to be a part of this bill package and work to ensure that people have the tools they need to plan for their own families and futures.”
The Senate Committee on Health Policy recently heard testimony on the Freedom to Plan package, which has garnered widespread support from reproductive health advocates and experts across the state.
“The right to bodily autonomy is as fundamental as our right to free speech, and that includes the freedom to access contraception and make personal decisions about our futures. The Freedom to Plan Act will remove barriers and safeguard these essential rights for Michiganders, ensuring that every person has the ability to plan their lives and their families on their own terms,” said Sen. Anthony. “I’m thankful to all who came out and shared their stories at our virtual town hall. These conversations highlight just how important having the freedom to plan is to our residents.”
To watch the Sept. 23 recorded town hall, click here. To view the Oct. 4 recorded town hall, click here. To learn more about Senate Democrats’ efforts to champion reproductive freedom here in Michigan, click here. To take action and show support for our Freedom to Plan package, click here.
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