She needed an abortion. Michigan's outdated laws cost her 5 weeks -- and $10,000.

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She needed an abortion. Michigan's outdated laws cost her 5 weeks — and $10,000. | Opinion

Dr. Charita L. Roque
Detroit Free Press


When Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed Proposal 3 last year, enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution, I felt incredible relief. However, as a physician who provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including pregnancy and abortion care, I knew my work as an advocate for my patients was far from over. That is why I am urging the Michigan Legislature to pass the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which will repeal old anti-abortion laws designed to restrict patient access to care.

These laws were enacted under the guise of improving patient safety. The truth is that abortion care is extremely safe. What is actually dangerous are the laws restricting access that the RHA will repeal.

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Michigan's abortion regulations, waiting period are barriers to reproductive freedom

In Michigan, patients are legally required to physically print out a form at least 24 hours before their appointment, but she didn’t have access to a printer. This led to her appointment being rescheduled.

Between the time delay and her cardiac status, it was soon evident that she would need a higher level of care in a hospital setting. This meant that the costs would be much, much higher, over $10,000, and since Michigan state law prohibited her insurance from covering abortion care, she anticipated that she would have to incur significant medical debt. ...............(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2023/10/23/michigan-abortion-access-pass-reproductive-health-act/71258652007/