By Erin P

The Michigan legislature has seen two bills introduced that seem a part of the rising challenge to legalized abortion; one aims to stop funding for foundations whose missions include abortion services and the other would make available for purchase a Michigan license plate featuring a “pro-life” symbol.

House Bill 4221 and Senate Bill 162 would prohibit the state from contracting with any agency that provides abortions as part of their mission. This directly affects the relationship between the State of Michigan and Planned Parenthood. That would affect agencies such as Planned Parenthood, which the state contracts with to provide health care services, but not abortions, for  women.

HB 4222 and SB 163 proposes to add “Choose Life” as an option at the Secretary of State to be put on license plates. “Although my opinion on the issue may not support the ‘choose life’ stance, I support people being able to show their opinions,” junior Katie Percha said. In the past the state’s fund-raising license plate program has shied away from offering politically-linked plates.

“It’s taken a long time for the bills to be present in the legislation, so it is important that they are dealt with quickly,” sophomore Elizabeth Bobr commented.
Since Roe v. Wade, abortion has been legally attainable for women in the United States, but with a recent wave of conservative rhetoric, the ability of women to exercise the right to choose is in question as efforts to curb abortion rights and funding for women’s health organizations like Planned Parenthood mount in Congress. “Not everyone who needs an abortion can afford one and sometimes the reason they need the procedure is critical for either their health or the unborn child’s,” said junior Clara Kissling