Dear Neighbor,
The well-being of women in our district is deeply connected to the well-being of our entire community. While each woman’s health journey is unique, women universally deserve culturally competent, accessible, and dignified care at all ages. Whether they are weighing contraceptive options, family planning, pregnant or postpartum, or navigating the changes that come with menopause, all women deserve access to quality care. That’s why I’ve been working hard in the Michigan Senate to invest in the health and well-being of women right here in our district and across our state.
As Majority Vice Chair of the Health Policy Committee and Chair of the subcommittee responsible for the Dept. of Health and Human Services budget, I am focused on ensuring care is available and responsive to the needs of our communities while also working to center the lived experiences of women in all of our policy decisions.
As always, if you have questions, need help navigating state services, or want to share your story, my office is here for you. Thank you for the honor of serving as your voice in Lansing.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Santana
State Senator, District 2
SenatorSantana.com
Protecting Reproductive Freedom for All
After the U.S. Supreme Court uprooted nearly five decades of precedent with the Dobbs decision, Michiganders showed up at the ballot box to protect our reproductive freedoms — enshrining abortion protections in our state constitution and electing a Democratic, pro-choice majority to lead the way forward.
Since the onset of our Senate Democratic Majority, we’ve stood strong to defend freedom of choice for all by:
- Repealing our state’s outdated 1931 abortion ban;
- Codifying Proposal 3 of 2022 into law, ensuring the constitutional right to an abortion;
- Amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to prevent employers from discriminating against employees who have had an abortion or medical complications related to abortion care;
- Removing burdensome legal barriers to surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF);
- Repealing medically unnecessary restrictions for abortion providers; and
- Expanding access to contraception by allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control.
Championing Impactful Health Policy
Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable care when they need it. Throughout my time in the legislature, I have prioritized investments and policies that support the health needs of Michigan women and families. This includes my efforts to:
- Secure dedicated funding that supports uterine fibroid research and education;
- Expand access to free and low-cost contraceptives and family planning services;
- Protect and improve Medicaid coverage amid federal cuts, including expanding coverage for childbirth and broader access to care centers across Michigan;
- Refine breast cancer detection standards;
- Protect parents from discrimination while publicly breastfeeding;
- Address racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health; and
- Bring the widely successful, evidence-based Rx Kids program to Detroit and many other Michigan communities, improving economic security and health outcomes for pregnant moms, babies, and families.
Improving Support for Women in Menopause
Menopause directly affects women’s health, economic stability, and quality of life; yet it’s still an issue that remains widely overlooked and unspoken. Women in every stage of life deserve a supportive environment that respects their economic well-being, professional growth, dignity, and overall health.
I’ve proudly championed legislation and investments to ensure all Michigan women are adequately supported as they navigate this natural life transition. My colleagues and I introduced Senate Bills 717 and 718, which would require insurers to provide coverage for treatments of menopause and perimenopause symptoms. I’ve also proposed $10 million in state funding for a menopause navigator program designed to help women navigate every stage of reproductive health. In addition, I sponsored Senate Resolution 78 to recognize October 12-18 as Menopause Awareness Week in Michigan, bringing more public attention to this critical issue.
We’re Here to Help
Sign up for my e-newsletter or learn more about upcoming events visiting SenatorSantana.com.
Lansing: (517) 373-0990 District 2: (855) 347-8002
Email: SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov
Facebook: Senator Sylvia Santana