Current:Home > ScamsMichigan ban on taxpayer-funded abortions targeted by lawsuit-LoTradeCoin
Michigan ban on taxpayer-funded abortions targeted by lawsuit
View Date:2024-12-23 22:42:13
DETROIT (AP) — Abortion-rights supporters filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to overturn Michigan’s longtime ban on taxpayer-funded abortions for low-income residents, arguing it cannot stand after voters in 2022 approved a sweeping constitutional amendment ensuring access to the medical procedure.
The lawsuit came just two days after a judge, citing the same amendment, blocked a 24-hour waiting period and other abortion-related restrictions that remain in Michigan law.
Michigan’s Medicaid program provides coverage for childbirth, birth control and sterilization, “yet denies coverage to patients who decide to exercise their constitutional right to abortion,” the lawsuit states.
“Many people with low incomes do not have enough money to cover the unexpected cost of terminating an unintended pregnancy and are forced to find funding for their abortion from multiple sources,” the lawsuit says. “This can delay access to care, which can in turn increase health risks and the cost of that care.”
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of YWCA Kalamazoo, which pays for abortions sought by women in the Kalamazoo area who are enrolled in the Medicaid health insurance program.
“No one should be denied reproductive health care because of who they are and how much money they have,” said Susan Rosas, chief executive of the organization.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the law firm Goodwin Procter are representing YWCA Kalamazoo. They said abortion and related services are available through Medicaid in 17 states.
Michigan’s Medicaid program only pays for abortions to save a woman’s life or to end pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
Right to Life of Michigan, which opposes abortion, criticized the lawsuit.
“Abortion-obsessed activists are again appealing to the courts to achieve what they failed to garner support for in the legislative process,” the organization said.
Abortion rights were added to the Michigan Constitution by nearly 57% of voters in 2022, months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and left the issue to each state.
A ban on taxpayer-funded abortions has been in place for decades, no matter which political party has controlled the Michigan Legislature or the governor’s office.
___
Follow Ed White at https://twitter.com/edwritez
veryGood! (24)
Related
- Bodyless head washes ashore on a South Florida beach
- Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer set for 2024 Rangers debut: 'Champing at the bit'
- Justin Timberlake breaks his silence at Chicago tour stop: It's been a tough week
- Ancient cargo recovered from oldest shipwreck ever found in Mediterranean Sea, Israeli archaeologists say
- Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
- Here’s a look at Trump’s VP shortlist and why each contender may get picked or fall short
- Heat wave sizzles parts of the country as floods and severe weather force people from their homes
- The surprising inspiration behind Tom Hardy's 'Bikeriders' voice
- Trump ally Steve Bannon blasts ‘lawfare’ as he faces New York trial after federal prison stint
- Ink Master Star Ryan Hadley Dead at 46 After Cancer Battle
Ranking
- Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and More React to Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb as Co-Anchor
- Edmonton Oilers look to join rare company by overcoming 3-0 deficit vs. Florida Panthers
- California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budget
- How Biden and Trump are taking very different approaches to preparing for next week’s debate
- Wildfires burn from coast-to-coast; red flag warnings issued for Northeast
- Creditor in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case seeks payback, speaks out
- Man dies after being struck by roller coaster in restricted area of Ohio theme park
- Cheetah cub 'adopted' by mother at Cincinnati Zoo, increasing his chances at survival
Recommendation
-
Does the NFL have a special teams bias when hiring head coaches? History indicates it does
-
As U.S.-supplied weapons show impact inside Russia, Ukrainian soldiers hope for deeper strikes
-
Illinois may soon return land the US stole from a Prairie Band Potawatomi chief 175 years ago
-
U.S. sanctions top Mexican cartel leaders, including alleged assassin known as The Doctor
-
Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
-
Princess Anne Hospitalized With Concussion After Incident at Her Estate
-
Jonathan Majors cries while accepting Perseverance Award months after assault conviction
-
'He's got a swagger to him': QB Jayden Daniels makes strong first impression on Commanders