It looks like the summer of 2013 is shaping up to be just like that of 2012 – all about vagina.
Tomorrow morning, the Michigan State Board of Canvassers is holding a hearing that could be the first step towards ignoring the will of the people and forcing policy that would endanger women’s health through the legislature.
If the Board approves petition language for this extreme ballot proposal, it would mean that opponents of reproductive rights would have a shot at enacting a law that cannot be vetoed by the Governor or challenged in the courts.
Join us tomorrow at the State Capitol to make it known that we are not going down without a fight.
What: Meeting of the State Board of Canvassers impacting reproductive rights in Michigan
When: Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 10 a.m.
Where: State Capitol Building, Room 426
It seems that some people will stop at nothing to prevent Michigan women’s access to safe, legal and comprehensive health care, even ignoring our democratic values. The ballot proposal would ban all regular, private health insurance plans from covering abortion procedures, even in the case of rape or to save a mother's life.
If the State Board of Canvassers approves their language, by collecting just 258,088 signatures within half a year they would create a law that would only need the legislature to make it a permanent law. Mind you, this is the same legislature that silenced female elected officials, voted to shut down the majority of women's health clinics, and already passed a similar version of this law in 2012.
For years, extremist groups have been working to pass this policy through our democratic system, only to be vetoed by two separate Republican governors – John Engler and Governor Rick Snyder just last year. Read more about this dangerous policy.
They have failed to convince voters or our Governor. So now they are eyeing a way to sneak their unconstitutional agenda by us.
It should not be within the power of politicians, special interest groups, or a petition signer off the street to decide what care your mother, sister, wife, or daughter should have covered by their insurance. We all deserve access to health insurance that covers care we need to protect our health.
It’s time to push back. Please stand with us tomorrow to make our voices heard.
