Right to Life of Michigan Calls on Governor Whitmer to Close Abortion Facilities

Lansing, MI — In light of her order requiring all outpatient facilities to postpone non-essential procedures, Right to Life of Michigan is calling on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to clarify that elective abortions are a non-essential procedure.

Abortion procedures require the use of personal protective equipment like other now-forbidden medical procedures. Medical personnel handling coronavirus patients will not be able to use those scarce resources.

Botched abortions can require follow-up surgical procedures or emergency room visits. Use of the abortion pill often results in complications such as excessive bleeding requiring visits to a doctor’s office. Patients and staff inside abortion facilities increases the likelihood of coronavirus spreading from close contact.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “Today, abortion facilities are using up surgical masks in order to take the lives of innocent babies. Tomorrow, how many doctors and nurses will go without proper protection while trying to save the lives of coronavirus patients? How many of those medical personnel will contract the virus?”

Several states said they will treat abortion facilities like other outpatient surgical facilities for coronavirus-related orders, including Ohio, Texas, Mississippi, and the Democratic administration in Louisiana. Abortion facilities continue to operate in Michigan.

Listing said, “We’re seeing a pattern of pro-abortion elected officials putting ideology first, and people at risk of the coronavirus second. Federal coronavirus relief was held up in part because of demands for small business assistance for Planned Parenthood, which has an annual budget of more than a billion dollars. Right to Life of Michigan is abiding by Governor Whitmer’s order. It’s time for Governor Whitmer to prove she can put public health above her ideology, because Planned Parenthood is incapable of being responsible, even during a global pandemic.”

Governor Whitmer’s order defines an essential procedure as one that is “necessary to address a medical emergency or to preserve the health and safety of a patient.” According to a study from the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, 96% of women having abortions cited reasons other than their physical health as their most important reason for seeking an abortion.

Listing said, “The vast majority of abortions are performed for economic or social reasons. Right now, people with legitimate medical needs are suffering in pain. We’re postponing hip replacements or fixing cracked teeth to ensure our front-line doctors and nurses are equipped. These procedures in many cases will be more burdensome and expensive for people in need because they had to wait. Why aren’t we treating them fairly? Why should abortion facilities get to be above the law?”

Those wishing to call Governor Whitmer to urge her to treat abortion facilities like other outpatient surgical facilities can call her Lansing office at (517) 373-3400.

For more information: Right to Life of Michigan Legislative Director Genevieve Marnon, (989) 277-7933, [email protected].

Background Information:
Guttmacher Institute study on reasons for abortions

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