Women's Health

Planned Parenthood of Michigan recently announced plans to close several of its health centers in Michigan and to consolidate its Ann Arbor offices into one location. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor talked with Planned Parenthood of Michigan President and CEO Paula Thornton Greear about the impact of a series of federal funding cuts and the organization’s long-term sustainability.

Two bills signed into law this week by Governor Whitmer allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control. Caroline MacGregor has more.

Bills to address inequities within maternal health care passed the Michigan Senate Tuesday. Colin Jackson has more.

Bills heard in a Michigan Senate committee Thursday aim to expand access to birth control and contraceptives. Colin Jackson has more.

The Ypsilanti Fire Department reached a new union deal with the city that, among other things, protects pregnant firefighters from having hours reduced. Ana Longoria has more.

The Ypsilanti District Library and Eastern Michigan University are working to make menstruation products more accessible. In fact, the tampons and pads are available free of charge. As you’ll learn on WEMU’s 'On the Ground Ypsi,' the hope is to reduce the financial burden of these essential items while also getting rid of the stigma of menstruation. WEMU’s Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media’s Sarah Rigg get all the details in a conversation with Jesse John from EMU’s ‘Changing the Cycle’ program.

A Democratic state lawmaker from Washtenaw County has introduced legislation to remove a 1931 felony abortion law from the Michigan Corrections codes. As WEMU’s Cathy Shafran reports, the move comes in the same week as the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision.

The future of abortion rights in Michigan is on the November ballot. Proposal Three would enshrine abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution. If adopted, it would supersede a 1931 state law that would ban most abortions and punish abortion providers. But the proposal would not settle every question regarding abortion rights in Michigan, as we hear from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking insurance companies in Michigan to provide health coverage for abortion services as legal fights over abortion rights in the state play out. We have more from Rick Pluta.

Abortion rights and the future of the Roe versus Wade decision played a big part in a marathon budget debate Thursday in the Michigan House. Rick Pluta was there.