While other states work to restrict individuals’ reproductive rights, Michigan Senate Democrats are leading the fight to protect freedom of choice for all
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 4, 2024) — Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) issued the following statements in response to the Senate Health Policy Committee’s passage of the Freedom to Plan Act, Senate Bills 973 and 974, which would break down financial barriers to over-the-counter (OTC) hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives:
“Every Michigander — no matter their insurance status, income, or background — deserves the freedom to plan their families, lives, and futures on their own terms,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “I’m proud to have championed this legislation that will expand access to contraception, ensuring Michigan residents have the autonomy to make their own informed medical decisions. We’ll continue fighting to make family planning and reproductive healthcare accessible for all Michiganders.”
“Everyone should be able to plan for their own families in their own terms and on their own time,” said Sen. Irwin. “I am honored to be a part of this bill package to protect reproductive rights here in Michigan. By expanding access to basic health care such as birth control, we can ensure everyone in our state is able to decide what their future looks like.”
Despite being named one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contraception is not easily accessible for many women. The Freedom to Plan Act seeks to dismantle barriers to contraception by requiring private insurers and Medicaid to provide coverage for a majority of over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
This legislation builds on a series of actions taken by the democratic Majority in the Michigan Legislature to protect reproductive freedom, including repealing the 1931 abortion ban, passing the Reproductive Health Act into law to remove unnecessary medical regulations on abortion clinics, and protecting forms of assisted reproduction such as IVF with the Family Protection Act
For more information on Senate Democrats’ work to champion reproductive freedom, please visit senatedems.com/freedom-to-plan.