Category: Press Releases

“The Democrats’ strategy this year was to weaponize the abortion issue in hopes of big wins at the polls. That strategy failed. Michigan voters, and voters across the country, issued a resounding repudiation of the radical abortion-obsessed agenda of the left,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. 

Grand Rapids, MI – Right to Life of Michigan Political Action Committee (RLM-PAC) endorsed candidates win big at the polls following historic Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) effort. A prolife majority has retaken the State House!

RLM-PAC went into election day with endorsements in 262 races for public office including, but not limited to, Congress, the Michigan State House, State Supreme Court, County Commission, Sheriff, School Board and Drain Commissioner. RLM’s GOTV efforts on their behalf were unprecedented, as the organization, its 80 affiliates and thousands of volunteers and supporters made hundreds of thousands of phone calls, went to doors across the state, engaged in a heavy direct mail program, issued text messages and undertook a social media campaign.

“The results speak for themselves. The Democrats’ strategy this year was to weaponize the abortion issue in hopes of big wins at the polls. That strategy failed. Michigan voters, and voters across the country, issued a resounding repudiation of the radical abortion-obsessed agenda of the left,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. “Voters came out in historic numbers to elect candidates who demonstrated the courage and commitment to stand for commonsense protections for Michiganders, safeguards like parental consent and limits on taxpayer funding for elective abortion.”

Despite the false claims of Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer and their surrogates, at stake this year was not abortion access, but longstanding safeguards for Michigan families that enjoy broad support among voters. The reality in Michigan is that a woman can get an abortion for any reason at any point in her pregnancy as a result of Proposal 3 (2022) enshrining a right to abortion in the state constitution. The election served as a test for how abortion will be debated in the political arena in the days and years ahead, demonstrating voters see through widespread misinformation and are both savvy and cautious in their approach to abortion policy.

“A big congratulations to our endorsed candidates,” added Roseboom. “It was an honor to work on their behalf. I want to thank our thousands of affiliate leaders, volunteers, supporters and staff for their tireless efforts on behalf of our candidates. By the grace of God and a lot of hard work, their steadfast commitment to the cause of life made all the difference at the ballot box. We look forward to working with our elected leaders to safeguard protections for women and children, including the unborn, in the months and years ahead.”

The RLM-PAC makes more endorsements, and continues to achieve more wins, than any other organization in the state. The endorsement process begins in February with local PAC volunteer trainings followed by candidate interviews. All final PAC endorsements are made by the RLM-PAC State Board which deliberates on recommended endorsements and votes on candidates. RLM’s more than 80 local affiliates and thousands of volunteers then engage in comprehensive Get-Out-the-Vote activity to support these candidates.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Gracie Ivy O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, (616) 532-2300, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, Right to Life of Michigan responded to new polling on voters’ beliefs about abortion and what issues they want candidates to discuss. The data comes less than two weeks before statewide early in-person voting begins on October 26, 2024, with many voters already casting their ballots via absentee voting. Marketing Resource Group’s October 7 – 10, 2024 poll (605 Sample, MOE 4.0%) demonstrates an overwhelming awareness that abortion is already secured in Michigan’s State Constitution, and voters want candidates to address other pressing issues.

The poll showed 81% of voters believe “a woman’s right to choose is protected.” Moreover, on issues which voters want to hear about from candidates, abortion comes in a distant fourth at only 9.8%, with the economy and jobs topping the list at 27.9%, immigration and border control second at 18.3%, and high gas prices/inflation/higher prices ranking third at 13.1%. (See polling questions and results at the end of this document and here.)

“Michigan voters are savvy. They know a woman in Michigan can get an abortion for any reason at any point in her pregnancy as a result of Proposal 3 passing. Abortion is not on the ballot. To suggest otherwise is the worst kind of deception, peddling misinformation to prey on women in a crass attempt to win votes,” stated Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. “Unsurprisingly, Democrats’ desperate attempts to motivate their base with the lie that abortion is on the ballot is falling flat. Even if every Republican candidate in the state won, there is absolutely nothing they could do to change the fact that a right to abortion is protected in our state constitution.”

The Facts on Abortion in Michigan:

A woman in Michigan can have an abortion for any reason at any point in her pregnancy.
(Proposal 3, 2022)

Even if every Republican running for office won his/her election, there is nothing that could be done to change or limit that since a “right” to abortion is now in the state constitution.

Michigan has some of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country and is one of only nine states with no gestational limits. The old “rape and incest” argument is wholly irrelevant. A woman needs absolutely no justification to get an abortion at any time in her pregnancy.

There is no threat of a national gestational limit, a.k.a. “national ban,” on abortion. Right to Life of Michigan has not advocated and is not advocating for a national ban on abortion as a matter of strategy. Beyond that fact, there are not the votes in Congress for a “ban” and no current presidential candidate is advocating for or would sign a “ban.”

Despite the outlandish claims of abortion-obsessed Democrats, Republican candidates running for office in Michigan do NOT support jailing women for abortion and never have. Beyond that fact, Michigan law has NEVER criminalized a woman for procuring an abortion, and this was reconfirmed by the Michigan Supreme Court in the 1963 case In re Vickers.

Miscarriage treatment and treatment for ectopic pregnancies are not prohibited by any law in the country nor have they ever been. Even states with the most restrictive abortion policies have a “life of the mother” exception, under which ectopic pregnancy falls.

After the past two years of radical, abortion-obsessed leadership in Michigan, abortion has become less, not more, safe. With abortion clinic health and safety regulations gone (Reproductive Health Act) and Informed Consent no longer enforceable, women should be on notice. In the last year alone (2022-2023), serious complications from abortions shot up 38%. (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.)

What’s at Stake Now:

At stake now is not access to abortion, but commonsense protections for Michiganders, like parental consent for abortion and laws that prevent tax dollars from paying for other people’s elective abortions.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she wants parental consent for minor girls gone. (Stateside, Michigan Public Radio, March 2024) Child-protective school penalties for employees assisting students in obtaining abortions have been eliminated. (Public Act 103, October 2023) Millions of taxpayer dollars are being funneled to expand school-based healthcare clinics targeting children. (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Whitmer Administration grants, 2023/2024)

Democrats in Lansing tried, but were so far unable, to force taxpayers to pay for other people’s abortions through Medicaid dollars. Now they’ve appealed to the courts to do it.

Marketing Resource Group, Fall 2024 (October 7-10, 2024), 605 Sample – MOE 4.0%

In 2022, Michigan voters voted to pass an amendment to the State Constitution that establishes a right to “reproductive freedom,” including the right to make all decisions about pregnancy and abortion. Knowing that Michigan’s constitution now protects a woman’s right to have an abortion through all 9 months of pregnancy for any reason, and that abortion is also now protected in more than a dozen places in state law, do you believe a woman’s right to choose is protected in Michigan [If believe/don’t believe would that be strongly believe/don’t believe or somewhat believe/not believe]?
Strongly believe a woman’s right to choose is protected………….49.4%
Somewhat believe a woman’s right to choose is protected……….31.6%
Somewhat believe a woman’s right to choose is not protected……4.8%
Strongly believe a woman’s right to choose is not protected….….6.0%
Refused/Don’t know………………………………………………8.3%
TOTAL BELIEVE PROTECTED: 81%
TOTAL BELIEVE NOT PROTECTED: 11%

When considering your support for a candidate, what issues would you like to see them discuss on the campaign?
[Rotate options]
The economy and jobs…………………….………27.9% 1st
High gas Prices/inflation/higher prices..………..13.1% 3rd
Education…………………………………….…….6.6%
Abortion…………………………………………….9.8%
Energy & the Environment…………………………3.0%
Roads & Infrastructure……………………………..2.5%
Health Care Issues…………………………………..6.0%
Immigration/Border Control……………………..18.3% 2nd
Crime/Drugs…………………………………….…..2.6%
Taxes………………………………………………..1.7%
Don’t Know…………………………………………1.7%
Refused………………………………………………0.3%
Other………………………………………….………6.6%

Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Gracie Ivy O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, (616) 532-2300, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

“These grants demonstrate our ongoing commitment to women facing unplanned pregnancies in Detroit and the surrounding region…” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is delivering grants totaling more than $10,000 to seven pregnancy resource centers in and around Detroit as part of our seventh annual Pregnancy Resource Center Fall Grant tour. These grants will be used for a variety of resources such as upgraded medical equipment, building repairs and improvements and upgrades to an ICU Birth Choice mobile unit. More broadly, the funds will help provide emergency housing assistance, transportation, and an abundance of diapers, formula, car seats, pack ‘n plays and more to women facing unplanned pregnancies.

“These grants demonstrate our ongoing commitment to women facing unplanned pregnancies in Detroit and the surrounding region. In Michigan, a woman can have an abortion at any point in her pregnancy for any reason. But, for choice to truly exist, women must have every opportunity to make a courageous, hopeful choice for life. These pregnancy centers and the incredible medical staff, counselors, and volunteers who are the compassionate engine driving their extraordinary successes are making all the difference, enabling women to make a choice for life,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan.

“Care Net is very grateful for the individuals, churches and organizations like Right to Life of Michigan who help make our work possible,” said Valerie Mayer, Executive Director, Care Net.

Each year, RLM offers grants to Pregnancy Resource Centers in and around the city of Detroit. Earlier this year, RLM expanded its support of pregnant women across the region by co-hosting, with The Reconciled Church, the first annual Motor City Baby Shower in Clark Park. More than 100 women and families participated in the event which offered much needed items, such as car seats, baby swings, strollers, clothing and more. For more information on Right to Life of Michigan, visit staging.rtl.org.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Gracie Ivy O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, (616) 532-2300, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

RLM-PAC Endorsed Candidates Prevail in 54 of 58 (93%) State House Races with Endorsements

Grand Rapids, MI – Right to Life of Michigan Political Action Committee (RLM-PAC) endorsed candidates experienced big wins at the polls! Yesterday’s primary election was marked by prolife victories across the state. The organization went into election day with endorsements in 231 races for public office including, but not limited to, Congress, the Michigan state House, County Commission, Sheriff and Drain Commissioner. In total, 88% won their races (204 of 231). Candidates for state House fared even better, prevailing in 54 of 58 races (93%) in which there were RLM-PAC endorsements.

“The message for the general election is that Michigan voters demand candidates who demonstrate the courage and commitment to stand for Michigan values. The loud voices of radical extremism that now characterize the abortion-obsessed left are wildly out of step with Michigan citizens,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. “The fantasy that abortion, IVF or contraception are at risk in our state is a dishonest charade designed to motivate the Democrats’ weary base. To the contrary, at stake in this year’s elections are long-standing common-sense safeguards for parents, women and children, such as parental consent for abortion and expanded prenatal and postnatal care.”

“We must take back control of the state House and win at every level to right the ship on behalf of women. In Michigan, women are at far greater risk of harm when they enter an abortion clinic today than they were even a couple of years ago. Abortion clinic health and safety regulations are gone. Women no longer need to be provided basic medical facts about an abortion before having one. Non-physicians are now able to perform abortions. Simultaneously, the 2023 abortion statistics recently released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show a worrisome shift with serious complications from abortion spiking, up 38%. These numbers demonstrate the immediate impact of an abortion-obsessed ideology and political party hell-bent on appeasing their big money special interest donors.”

The RLM-PAC makes more endorsements, and continues to achieve more wins, than any other organization in the state. The endorsement process begins in February with local PAC volunteer trainings followed by candidate interviews. All final PAC endorsements are made by the RLM-PAC State Board which deliberates on recommended endorsements and votes on candidates. RLM’s more than 80 local affiliates and thousands of volunteers then engage in active Get-Out-the-Vote activity to support these candidates.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Gracie Ivy O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, (616) 532-2300, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

VP Visit Comes on Heels of New State Abortion Statistics Showing Dramatic Spike in Abortion Complications

Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Michigan today is part of an election year charade to create the fantasy that abortion is at risk in Michigan in hopes of energizing Democrats’ increasingly weary base. Michigan voters are savvy, fully aware that Proposal 3 secured a “right” to abortion in our State Constitution. A woman in Michigan can choose to have an abortion for any reason at any point in her pregnancy. Abortion is not on the ballot in Michigan. And, make no mistake about it, IVF is not, nor has it been at risk in Michigan.

The reality, however, is that women who ultimately choose abortion in our state are at greater risk of harm today than they were even a year ago as abortion-obsessed Democrats systematically strip long-standing safeguards like abortion clinic health and safety regulations.

The latest state abortion report compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is both significant in its revelations and in that it is the last abortion report our state is required to issue. The abortion report reveals an increase in abortions coupled with a dramatic spike in abortion complications and should be of concern to anyone who truly cares about women’s health.

Michigan knows the dangers of a radical abortion-only agenda firsthand. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and radical proabortion legislators in Lansing ushered in a slew of dangerous pieces of legislation last year, removing transparency for the abortion industry and making abortion less safe for women. Shockingly, as the new abortion report is issued, abortion clinic health and safety standards are no longer in place, and women are no longer required to be given basic medical facts about an abortion as they consider the procedure.

There is no question that women who seek an abortion in Michigan are at far greater risk now than they have been in recent years.

It’s time for Democrats to trust voters with the facts. A woman in Michigan can choose abortion for any reason at any point in her pregnancy, but for choice to truly exist, a woman must have every opportunity to make a choice for life if she would like to do so.

Prolife candidates are committed to stand for Michigan values, expanding prenatal and postnatal care and safeguarding common-sense legal protections like parental consent for abortion.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Gracie Ivy O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, (616) 532-2300, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

Today, abortion-obsessed activists are again appealing to the courts to achieve what they failed to garner support for in the legislative process, now hoping to force Michigan taxpayers, already facing the financial burdens of high inflation, to pay for other people’s abortions through Medicaid dollars. Radical activists are appeasing their big money donors and special interest groups while showing complete disregard for Michigan taxpayers and their ongoing, overwhelming opposition to paying for other people’s abortions through taxpayer funded Medicaid dollars.* The irony of adding this burden to the Michigan taxpayer with inflation so high and economic pressures taking their toll on voters will not be lost on Michiganders. It is time for change in Michigan from the top down. This year, Michigan voters must start by taking back the State House of Representatives.

*Taxpayer Funded Abortion: Opposed at 61.1%. Marketing Resource Group conducted a poll of registered voters in the state of Michigan, April 8 – 11, 2024 (614 Sample/MOE 4%).

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Gracie Ivy O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, (616) 532-2300, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

Women in Michigan should be on notice. The reckless ruling by Judge Sima G. Patel prevents enforcement of the 24-hour waiting period and informed consent for abortion law and now allows for non-physicians to perform abortions. This dangerous move comes on the heels of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her Democratic allies in Lansing removing common-sense health and safety standards for abortion clinics. There is no question that women are at greater risk when they enter an abortion clinic today than they were a year ago.

This decision presents an immediate threat to women considering an abortion in our state. The 24-hour waiting period and informed consent law has been in place for more than 30 years, providing women seeking an abortion with medically accurate information, including common risks associated with the procedure. As a result of this dangerous development and disregard for patients’ rights, women in Michigan are no longer guaranteed access to important facts.

Beyond the immediate threat to women’s well-being, the ruling is an affront to democracy and the will of the people of Michigan. Unable to gain the votes needed to overturn the 24-hour waiting period and informed consent in the state legislature, activists appealed to the courts under Proposal 3 to strip these protections. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of voters (66%) support the 24-hour waiting period and informed consent.*

*Marketing Resource Group (MRG) conducted a poll of registered voters in the state of Michigan, April 8 – 11, 2024 (614 Sample/MOE 4%).

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Anna-Marie Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, (616) 532-2300, apluymert@staging.rtl.org.

“Today, we celebrate the long-awaited overturn of Roe v. Wade that reignited a national debate on life. This extraordinary opportunity has been overshadowed by the desperate attempts of big money donors and abortion-only special interests to politicize the issue for Democratic electoral gains,” stated RLM President Amber Roseboom.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade. This decision corrected what is widely recognized as bad law and sent the debate on life back to the people and their elected officials. In this post-Roe era, Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) celebrates the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision and recognizes the national impact it has had on protecting life.

“Today, we celebrate the long-awaited overturn of Roe v. Wade that reignited a national debate on life. This extraordinary opportunity has been overshadowed by the desperate attempts of big money donors and abortion-only special interests to politicize the issue for Democratic electoral gains,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. “Reproduction and abortion are not issues of any political party. They are and have always been decisions of the woman. Today, a woman in Michigan can choose to have an abortion for any reason. But for choice to truly exist, women must have every opportunity to make a choice for life.”

Roseboom continued, “Two years after Dobbs, abortion clinics in Michigan are less safe than they were even a year ago, as a result of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her allies removing long-standing health and safety standards for abortion clinics. It is time we refocus our collective efforts on serving women by championing expanded access to prenatal and postnatal care. We must also commit to offering robust support to the more than 100 Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) across our state that provide women free medical care, confidential counseling and material support.”

Right to Life of Michigan is continuing to expand its educational efforts in communities across the state. The organization has expanded its staff team and youth outreach program, launched a new multi-media advertising campaign (with a referral to a PRC help hotline) and begun an aggressive campaign to elect candidates who stand for common-sense protections for women and children, like parental consent for abortion, in our state.

For more information on Right to Life of Michigan, visit staging.rtl.org.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Anna-Marie Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, (616) 532-2300, apluymert@staging.rtl.org.

“We celebrate the long-awaited overturn of Roe v. Wade that reignited a national debate on life. This extraordinary opportunity has been overshadowed by the desperate attempts of big money donors and abortion-only special interests to politicize the issue for Democratic electoral gains,” stated RLM President Amber Roseboom.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Monday, June 24, 2024, marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade. This decision corrected what is widely recognized as bad law and sent the debate on life back to the people and their elected officials. In this post-Roe era, Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) celebrates the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision and recognizes the national impact it has had on protecting life.

“We celebrate the long-awaited overturn of Roe v. Wade that reignited a national debate on life. This extraordinary opportunity has been overshadowed by the desperate attempts of big money donors and abortion-only special interests to politicize the issue for Democratic electoral gains,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. “Reproduction and abortion are not issues of any political party. They are and have always been decisions of the woman. Today, a woman in Michigan can choose to have an abortion for any reason. But for choice to truly exist, women must have every opportunity to make a choice for life.”

Roseboom continued, “Two years after Dobbs, abortion clinics in Michigan are less safe than they were even a year ago, as a result of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her allies removing long-standing health and safety standards for abortion clinics. It is time we refocus our collective efforts on serving women by championing expanded access to prenatal and postnatal care. We must also commit to offering robust support to the more than 100 Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) across our state that provide women free medical care, confidential counseling and material support.”

Right to Life of Michigan is continuing to expand its educational efforts in communities across the state. The organization has expanded its staff team and youth outreach program, launched a new multi-media advertising campaign (with a referral to a PRC help hotline) and begun an aggressive campaign to elect candidates who stand for common-sense protections for women and children, like parental consent for abortion, in our state.

For more information on Right to Life of Michigan, visit staging.rtl.org.

  ###

Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Anna-Marie Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, (616) 532-2300, apluymert@staging.rtl.org.

Free Event Supports Local Pregnant Women. Early Registration Preferred 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) and The Reconciled Church have joined to host the first annual Motor City Baby Shower this Saturday afternoon in Clark Park (details below). The event will provide much needed items, such as car seats, baby swings, strollers, clothing and more, to pregnant women and their families. The event includes giveaways, free lunch, games and parenting resources. More than 58 women are currently registered. Registration will be open right up to the start of the event at the link below.

What:  ​​Motor City Baby Shower (for pregnant women and families)

Where:  ​​Clark Park, 1130 Clark St, Detroit, MI, 48209

When: ​ ​Saturday, May 18, from 12 – 2 p.m.

RSVP to Event: ​RSVP at https://staging.rtl.org/event/motor-city-baby-shower/ by May 16.

Press RSVP:  ​Email Gracie O’Brien, Media Relations & Digital Director, at gobrien@staging.rtl.org by May 17, at 3 p.m.

Event Contact:  ​Tina Teifer, Director of Multicultural Outreach, tteifer@staging.rtl.org.

“We want women to know that they are not alone. There are resources right in our community to help them prepare for the birth of their child,” said María Teresa Garcia, RLM’s event lead and member of the organization’s multicultural team. “The baby shower is a celebration, a party for moms, many of whom don’t have family here. So, this is a way to celebrate their lives and their babies’ lives.”

Tina Teifer, RLM Director of Multicultural Outreach, added, “A car seat and pack n’play are very important for bringing babies home, but a loving and supportive community are even more necessary for the life and health of a family. All are welcome, including dads and other children, to come and share in this wonderful event in the city of Detroit.”

RLM and The Reconciled Church are joined by various community organizations that will have information tables at the event, including those offering marriage support, parenting education and employment resources. The event’s purpose is to address the emotional, spiritual, and financial needs of families, ensuring they have access to a wide range of resources and services.

For more information on Right to Life of Michigan, visit staging.rtl.org.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit staging.rtl.org.

For more information:

Grace O’Brien, Media Relations & Digital Director, (248) 946-2929, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

“Make no mistake. Assisted suicide is a cost-saving measure for insurance companies concerned only with their bottom line. The threat posed to vulnerable populations cannot be overstated,” stated RLM President. 

LANSING, MI – Today, Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) hosted its 45th Annual Legislative Day in Lansing, steps from the state Capitol. This year’s event boasted a sold-out audience of more than 320 attendees from across the state. Attendees heard from internationally renowned author and speaker, Wesley Smith, regarding efforts to protect vulnerable populations against the threat of physician-assisted suicide. Small groups assembled over lunch for citizen-lobbying efforts with state legislators.

“Today’s event showcased the democratic process in action. The gathering provided voters from all corners of the state with the opportunity to engage their elected representatives on issues of importance to them. On the top of the agenda was opposing the dangerous Death with Dignity Act. This package of bills presents an immediate threat to vulnerable populations in our state, including the sick, the elderly, those with disabilities and minority populations already experiencing health care disparities,” stated Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan.

Roseboom continued, “Make no mistake. Assisted suicide is a cost-saving measure for insurance companies concerned only with their bottom line. The threat posed to vulnerable populations cannot be overstated. We are committed to stand shoulder to shoulder with those threatened by these dangerous bills.”

The RLM legislative team led the morning with a briefing on the Death with Dignity Act, a package of Senate Bills (SB 678-681) that were introduced in the State Senate last fall. If passed, the bills would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to patients who have received a terminal prognosis for the purpose of suicide. Wesley Smith then shared new developments and his insights on defending against physician-assisted suicide.

Lawyer and award-winning author, Wesley J. Smith, is the host of the Humanize podcast and Chair of the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism. In 2004, he was named one of the nation’s premier experts in bioengineering by the National Journal. In 2008, the Human Life Foundation named him a Great Defender of Life for his work against assisted suicide and euthanasia. Smith’s book, “Forced Exit: Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide and the New Duty to Die,” has become a classic in anti-euthanasia advocacy. He has published hundreds of articles and appeared on thousands of TV and radio programs across the U.S. and internationally. Smith is often called upon by members of the legislative and executive branches of government to advise on issues within his fields of expertise.

Right to Life of Michigan is in strong opposition to the Death with Dignity bills in the State Senate and will continue to take action against any effort to advance them in the legislature.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit  RTL.org.

For more information:

Grace O’Brien, Media Relations & Digital Director, (248) 946-2929, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.

“The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are peddling an election year phantom threat to IVF, prenatal care and abortion in a desperate attempt to scare voters,” stated Roseboom.  

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, Right to Life of Michigan responded to recent statements from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist erroneously claiming the organization poses a threat to reproductive services broadly in the state, including IVF and prenatal care.

“The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are peddling an election year phantom threat to IVF, prenatal care and abortion in a desperate attempt to scare voters. IVF has been operating in Michigan since the 70s. There is no threat to it, nor has there been. And there is absolutely no parallel in Michigan to Alabama’s recent, isolated issue. Not one. Prenatal care also has never been at risk in Michigan. They know full well that abortion is now secured in more than a dozen places in state law, beyond Proposal 3 now in our state constitution,” stated Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan.

A legal challenge from Right to Life of Michigan and 15 other plaintiffs, including physicians and parents, is focused on the overreach of Proposal 3 that puts Michigan families at risk and endangers women. It has no impact on IVF, prenatal care or the legality of abortion in Michigan. Alternatively, the recent Northland Family Planning Centers’ lawsuit, which claims informed consent is now unconstitutional under Proposal 3, demonstrates the immediate threat to women’s health in the state and the need for action.

Roseboom continued, “Women deserve the facts, not desperate, election year scare tactics. At stake now are common-sense, long-standing protections for women, parents and children. Abortion-only Democrats are intent on removing parental consent for a minor seeking an abortion and denying a woman’s right to know about the risks associated with abortion by removing informed consent.”

Last fall, Governor Whitmer and her allies in our state legislature removed long-standing, basic health and safety standards for abortion clinics to appease the big money abortion-only special interests that fund their campaigns. Parental consent, informed consent and abortion clinic health and safety regulation are supported by the overwhelming majority of Michigan voters.

Right to Life of Michigan has a long record of supporting prenatal and pregnancy care. The organization does not have a position on IVF.

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Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to advocating a choice for life for the youngest and oldest members of our human family. Since our founding in 1972, we have remained steadfast in our mission to educate the public on life issues, support legal protections for women’s health, the elderly, disabled and unborn children and support prolife candidates. RLM has 80 affiliates across the state and more than 282,550 members. The organization achieved 172 electoral victories in 2022 alone. With more than 50 life-affirming protections passed into law, RLM estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection. For more information, visit  RTL.org.

For more information:

Grace O’Brien, Media Relations & Digital Director, (248) 946-2929, gobrien@staging.rtl.org.