GOVERNOR PROTECTS YOUNG WOMEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2004
GOVERNOR PROTECTS YOUNG WOMENPro-choice Community Expresses Gratitude for Veto of HB 4478
LANSING- Governor Granholm vetoed House Bill 4478 today, protecting Michigan young women and families. House Bill 4478 would have placed further restrictions on young women when seeking permission from the courts to terminate a pregnancy. Rebekah Warren, Executive Director of MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan had the following statement. “We appreciate that today, just days after the 31st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court’s decision that recognized a woman’s right to decide the most private aspects of her life, the Governor vetoed House Bill 4478. This legislation attacks the reproductive rights of Michigan’s women. Governor Granholm has once again stood up for Michigan’s women and their constitutionally protected right to control their health, safety, and lives.” “Ideally a young women confronting a crisis pregnancy would seek the advice and counsel of those who care for her most and know her best. In fact, even in the absence of laws mandating parental involvement, many young women turn to their parents when they are considering abortion. The government, however, cannot mandate healthy family communication where it does not exist. Unfortunately, some young women feel they cannot involve their parents. Without question, this legislation further restricts minors’ access to abortion and can actually harm the teens and families it purports to protect, by increasing illegal abortions and self-induced abortions, family violence, and suicide.” “Instead of putting up barriers to reproductive health care, the Michigan Legislature should focus on improving minors’ access to contraception and providing medically accurate sexuality education to our young people. If the Legislature wants to reduce the number of minors having abortions in Michigan, surely focusing efforts on preventing unintended pregnancies would be a better place to begin,” added Warren. MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan was founded in 1979 as a state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America. MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan is a statewide, non-partisan membership organization that works through the political process to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancies, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal and safe abortion. Contact Kelly for more information.
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