Around Michigan & State Government

Coverage from across Michigan and the state Capitol with the Michigan Public Radio Network and Interlochen Public Radio.

How will Michigan's new abortion law work?

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published January 22, 2014 at 4:28 PM EST

In December, State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer gave a speech about her own experience with rape during the debate over the abortion rider bill.

On the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade – the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide – women's reproductive rights remain in the political spotlight.

Let's turn our attention to that subject here in Michigan. It was mid-December when state lawmakers approved a controversial law requiring consumers to buy separate policies for abortion coverage.

This means a person has to buy a rider before knowing they need an abortion; they would not be able to buy a rider after getting pregnant. And the law does not include exceptions for rape or incest.

The law goes into effect in March, and there’s confusion over just how this is supposed to work.

Marianne Udow Phillips is director of The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation at the University of Michigan. She talks to us today and explains what the new law means.

Listen to the full interview above.