Planned Parenthood Reacts to Overturn of Roe v. Wade

Planned Parenthood Working to Serve Surge of Patients and Protect Access in Michigan after the Dobbs v. JWHO Decision

Lansing, Mich.  — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of precedent and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, stripping people of the right to control their own bodies. This chilling decision has granted state politicians free rein to dictate personal medical decisions and block access to care. As many as 26 states could move to ban abortion in the coming weeks and months.

As of today, a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s 1931 criminal abortion ban is protecting abortion access in Michigan. The Michigan Court of Claims granted the injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) and abortion provider Dr. Sarah Wallett. The lawsuit seeks to permanently block enforcement of the 1931 criminal abortion ban on the basis that it is unconstitutionally vague and violates the rights to liberty, bodily integrity, equal protection, and privacy under the Michigan Constitution and state civil rights laws.

PPMI anticipates a surge of patients seeking care, information, and a way forward in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. To meet this need, the health care provider hired additional staff, including abortion care navigators, and expanded access to medication abortion services. Michiganders can visit ppmi.org or call 1-800-230-PLAN to make an appointment.

Statement from Dr. Sarah Wallett, Chief Medical Officer at PPMI:
“Let me be clear - abortion is still legal in Michigan, and our doors are open. But my heart is breaking for the millions of patients living in states that will cut off abortion access in the days and weeks to come. As an abortion provider, I know how devastating it is to sit in an exam room and tell a patient I can’t help them because state politicians have restricted their access to care. This scenario will now be a daily reality for my colleagues and their patients in hostile states across the country. Here in Michigan, I’m working with our team of expert doctors, nurses and health care professionals to ensure we can provide care to as many patients as possible. We are not going anywhere and we won’t stop fighting to protect access.”

Statement from Nicole Wells Stallworth, Executive Director at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan:
"It is a dark day for our country, and we are outraged. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has signaled that it trusts politicians more than us to make our own, deeply personal, medical decisions. But this is far from over. We will not compromise on our bodies, our dignity, or our inherent rights. Michiganders should know that Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan will always fight for you, and we will not back down. Together, we will rebuild and reclaim our freedom. Let’s be clear – this ruling goes beyond abortion. This is about who has power to make decisions when it comes to our bodies and who can control our futures.”

Planned Parenthood is pursuing every avenue to protect abortion access in Michigan. In addition to PPMI’s lawsuit, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan is working to pass the Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA) ballot measure and explicitly enshrine protections for reproductive freedom in the Michigan state constitution. The RFFA has until July 11 to collect the 425,059 signatures needed to place the measure on the November ballot.

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Planned Parenthood offers affordable reproductive health care for all people through medical services, education and advocacy and is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. Planned Parenthood of Michigan operates health centers across the state, providing medical services and sexuality education for nearly 60,000 Michiganders each year.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM) is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. PPAM works in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the national level, as well as our health center/education affiliate Planned Parenthood of Michigan, supporters, and patients at the state level to ensure access to reproductive health for all Michiganders.