Calls for Veto as "Anti-Women Super Bill" Heads to Michigan Governor's Desk

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/12/13-1


A statewide group of protesters gathered in June at the Capitol to oppose abortion bills pending in the House of Representatives. The group was going into the Capitol to listen to the debate. (Photo: Motleynews.net)

Women's health advocates and pro-choice supporters are livid in Michigan and across the country after the state Senate in Lansing passed HB 5711, an omnibus piece of legislation that its critics are calling an "anti-choice Super Bill," on Wednesday.

The legislation, designed to limit women's access to abortion and other health care services by placing higher burdens on health professionals in the state, say opponents, is the most extreme kind of law-making pushed by the rightwing anti-choice movement and Republican-controlled state legislatures in recent years.

“HB 5711 is a prime example of deceptive nature of the national anti-choice agenda," said Nancy Northup, president and CEO at the Center for Reproductive Rights, who called on Republican Governor Rick Snyder to veto the bill.

"Under the pretext of protecting women’s health, this bill would completely undermine women’s access to safe and affordable reproductive care—and ultimately place their lives and well-being at risk," Northup said.