Category: Press Releases

“Each dinner demonstrates Michiganders’ unwavering commitment to stand for common-sense protections for women and children, including the unborn…”  

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, Right to Life of Michigan announced the organization’s statewide affiliates are hosting 20 spring and summer dinners across the state. The extensive line up begins tomorrow, March 19, in Branch County and concludes August 12 in Manistee County. The dinners are part of an annual effort to educate local communities on current life issues and both ongoing and emerging threats to women, parents, and children, including the unborn. Another 25 dinners take place in the fall, bringing the annual total to 45 dinners.

“Each dinner demonstrates Michiganders’ unwavering commitment to stand for common-sense protections for women and children, including the unborn, particularly in the face of growing threats from our political leaders in Washington D.C. and Lansing. The dinners are a longstanding tradition in the Right to Life affiliate community, and support continues to grow as time goes on,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan.

For the list of currently published spring and summer dinners, visit RTL.org. For a full list of dinners, call the Right to Life of Michigan state office at 616-532-2300. Each of the annual dinners range in size from approximately 100 to more than 1,000 attendees. Speakers at previous Right to Life of Michigan affiliate dinners have included Jim Caviezel, Rachel-Campos Duffy, Jim Harbaugh and Kevin Sorbo.

In addition to the dinners, Right to Life of Michigan’s more than 80 affiliates also host and participate in a variety of community events throughout the year. Anyone interested in finding out more about additional events can call (616) 532-2300 to be connected to their local affiliate.

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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.

Tomorrow’s Visit is a “Charade” to Scare Voters into Thinking Abortion “Rights” at Risk

“The Vice President’s visit to Grand Rapids is part of a coordinated election year charade to mislead voters with a fantasy that abortion access in Michigan is somehow at risk. The facts are to the contrary. A woman in Michigan can have an abortion for any reason, at any point in her pregnancy. There is absolutely nothing that can be done in our state legislature to change that reality. Also, there is no path forward in Congress to pass any sort of a national ‘ban’ as it is being called, which is actually just a gestational limit on the window of time in which a woman could have an abortion,” stated Right to Life of Michigan President, Amber Roseboom.

Roseboom continued, “Michigan women beware! At stake now are common-sense protections for women, parents, and children. Let’s not forget that just 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. Abortion-extremist Democrats have also announced their intention to remove parental consent for a minor seeking an abortion and strip a woman’s right to know about the risks associated with abortion by removing informed consent.”

“The Democrats have nothing to offer voters but empty abortion-only rhetoric since polls demonstrate voters believe they have failed on border security, inflation, the economy and jobs. Michigan women are savvy enough to see through this Harris/Whitmer charade.”

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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.

RLM President Amber Roseboom Statement on the Anniversary 

Grand Rapids, MI– As Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) memorializes the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade (January 22), RLM President Amber Roseboom reflects on the past and looks to the future.

“On the 51st anniversary of Roe V. Wade, we memorialize the lives lost and women and families destroyed by abortion. While Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ultimately righted the U.S. Supreme Court’s wrong, the impact of decades of propaganda to bring women to the doors of abortion clinics remains.

The threat to women and children in our state is real and expanding. Last fall, on the heels of the passage of Proposal 3 in November 2022, Governor Whitmer and proabortion Democrats in the state legislature eliminated basic health and safety standards from clinics that do abortions, putting women at even greater risk. Beyond that, in a shocking move, the Governor legalized partial-birth abortion, a procedure so gruesome most people don’t believe it happens.

At Right to Life of Michigan, we are intensely focused on deepening and expanding our presence in communities across our state to invite women to make another choice – the choice for life.

During the last few months, we have expanded our staff team to broaden our outreach to students and young professionals, the faith community and our digital reach online. Women want the truth, and, the more they hear it, the more they will make a choice for life,” stated Mrs. Roseboom.

In the 49 years under Roe, Right to Life of Michigan passed more than 50 life-affirming legal protections for women, unborn children, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and individuals with chronic and terminal illnesses. The organization estimates more than 269,633 lives have been saved by just one legal protection.

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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.

RLM Board Confirms Ms. Listing’s Hand-Selected Successor, Amber Roseboom, as Next President

Grand Rapids, MI – Today, Barbara Listing, Right to Life of Michigan’s (RLM) president since 1980, publicly announced her retirement after 43 years leading the organization. Mrs. Listing is widely recognized for successfully building a prolife powerhouse and the largest grassroots organization in the state. Her retirement is effective at the end of this month.

During her time as President, Mrs. Listing directed RLM’s educational, legal and political priorities. As such, she has co-managed three successful statewide legislative initiative drives and two successful statewide referenda votes including ending taxpayer-funding of Medicaid abortions in Michigan, defeating the legalization of assisted suicide and preventing insurance coverage of abortion through health care reform. Beyond leading successful prolife efforts in Michigan, Mrs. Listing has provided ongoing counsel and guidance to her counterparts across the country. She is sought as a state and national expert on life issues and strategy and has been quoted by virtually every major statewide publication and a variety of national media outlets.

Mrs. Listing began her time with RLM as a volunteer in the mid-1970s and served as an affiliate president for five years. Mrs. Listing has received honorary doctoral degrees in law and humanities in recognition of her leadership. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In the days ahead, she will continue to serve the organization as a member of the RLM Board of Directors and RLM PAC Board. See photo here.

“It has been an honor to serve as the president of Right to Life of Michigan working alongside of so many dedicated volunteers whose only goal is to encourage their fellow citizens to legally recognize the inherent value of all human life, including the unborn child.  Our history as a nation is built upon the right to life and not its deliberate destruction.  With compassion and respect for all, our organization will continue its mission through legal means to encourage all to make the choice for life.

Succeeding Mrs. Listing is Amber Roseboom. Mrs. Roseboom has served as Vice President of Operations for RLM since July of 2022. She transitioned to the role, moving back to her home state of Michigan, following more than 20 years in the nation’s capital. Mrs. Roseboom has served in a wide variety of senior management and strategic and crisis communications roles, including as a political appointee in President George W. Bush’s Administration, as a Senior Bush-Obama Transition Official, and as a communications and strategic planning expert at non-profit organizations and private sector endeavors. Having first joined RLM in the late 90s, she assisted the organization’s efforts to defeat a ballot initiative to legalize physician assisted suicide in the Jack Kevorkian era.

Mrs. Roseboom is a native of SE Michigan and an honors graduate from Michigan State University. She has been quoted by Fox News, CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times Magazine, to name a few. She and her husband of 28 years, Tim, reside in Grand Rapids. See photo here.

“Barb’s steadfast leadership and bold vision have led to historic victories on behalf of women and the unborn in Michigan and across the country. I am honored to call her a friend and mentor and will continue to rely on her wise advice and counsel,” said Mrs. Roseboom. “There is no question that the days ahead present new challenges to the cause for life with threats to women, parental rights and children of all ages, including the unborn. Our objective at Right to Life is to ensure women who face a possible abortion are presented with the information, tools and practical support that enable them to courageously make another choice – the choice for life.”

Mrs. Roseboom assumes her new role January 1, 2024.

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

Today at the State Capitol, Governor Whitmer signed the final bill of the so-called Reproductive Health Act which, among other things, repealed the abortion insurance opt-out law.

“Under the guise of expanding abortion access, the Governor has just mandated that all Michigan taxpayers pay for other peoples’ abortions through insurance purchased on the state exchanges. Today was all about forcing Michigan taxpayers, already experiencing financial strain from inflation, to fund the Governor’s singular policy focus – abortion,” said Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director.

“Do not be fooled. This bill has nothing to do with access to abortion for women who have been subjected to sexual abuse. Women in Michigan have full access to abortion up until birth for any reason whatsoever,” added Marnon.

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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:

Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director, (989) 277-7933, gmarnon@staging.rtl.org.

“This is a dark day in Michigan as the Governor recklessly signs into law a package of bills that present an immediate danger to the health and safety of women and children, including the unborn, in our state. Removing basic health and safety standards for abortion clinics, standards that have the support of 95% of Michigan voters, is an afront to the very women our Governor claims to represent. The shocking elimination of the ban on partial-birth abortion demonstrates what many voters have hesitated to accept – proabortion Democrats will accept no limit on abortion, not even at the time of birth.

There is a silver lining. The steadfast leadership of our prolife legislators joined by a common-sense colleague led to keeping in place informed consent, including the 24-hour waiting period, and the barrier against using taxpayer dollars for abortion.

Now we must put our sights on defending parental rights by retaining parental consent for abortion. Abortion providers and advocacy organizations have openly threatened removal of this important protection. More concerning, we have heard this intention echoed in the halls of our state legislature.

In the days ahead, may we join together to support and defend life, the other choice.”

For more information:

Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director, (989) 277-7933, gmarnon@staging.rtl.org.

Legal Plaintiffs Include National and State Member Organizations, Legislators and Parent

LANSING, MI – Today, on the steps of the Lansing Capitol building, Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) President Barbara Listing announced the organization is one of 16 plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging central elements of Proposal 3 on federal constitutional grounds. The legal complaint, filed earlier this morning, comes one year to the day after the passage of Proposal 3 and re-emphasizes the assertion that the proposal’s vague, extreme language would pave the way for dangerous unintended consequences for Michigan citizens. The announcement of the lawsuit was made to cheers from a crowd of thousands of onlookers that spread far beyond the Capitol grounds at the state’s first-ever March for Life.

“Earlier this morning, a federal civil rights lawsuit was filed challenging the constitutionality of central elements of Proposal 3. The provisions asserted to be unconstitutional under federal law threaten legal protections for pregnant women seeking healthcare, the rights of physicians to care for patients, and the rights of parents already under attack on many fronts. At issue is also the sweeping disenfranchisement both of Michigan voters and of the authority of the legislature in the days and years ahead. Today, our message to all Michigan citizens now at risk from this extreme measure is – we stand with you. The plaintiffs in this case stand with you. Thousands of Michiganders here today are standing up for your rights,” stated Mrs. Listing. (Eighty-two buses added to the influx of cars and vans descending on the state capital filled with Michigan citizens committed to stand for a choice for life and protections for women and children.)

The legal complaint (linked here) was filed by the American Freedom Law Center, along with co-counsel Great Lakes Justice Center, in the United States District Court for the Westen District of Michigan on behalf of the plaintiffs (listed below) against Gretchen Whitmer, in her official capacity as Governor; Dana Nessel, in her official capacity as Attorney General; and Jocelyn Benson, in her official capacity as Secretary of State.

The plaintiffs seek a declaration that Article I, Section 28 of the Michigan Constitution, which is the provision of the state constitution that was created by Proposal 3, violates the United States Constitution and a permanent injunction to prevent the implementation and enforcement of Section 28.

Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs in the case are Right to Life Michigan; American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, on behalf of itself, its members, and their patients; Gina Johnsen, Representative, Michigan House of Representatives; Luke Meerman, Representative, Michigan House of Representatives; Joseph Bellino, Jr., Senator, Michigan Senate; Melissa Halvorson, M.D.; Christian Medical and Dental Associations, on behalf of itself, its members, and their patients; Crossroads Care Center; Celina Asberg; Grace Fisher; Jane Roe, on behalf of preborn babies; Andrea Smith; John Hubbard; Lara Hubbard; Save the 1, on behalf of itself and its members; and Rebecca Kiessling.

Overview of Lawsuit

The lawsuit advances five claims under the United States Constitution, and those claims are briefly summarized below.

First, that Art. I, Sec. 28 (Proposal 3) causes great harm to pregnant women (and others) as a class by exempting them from the legal protections afforded to other classes of individuals in violation of the equal protection guarantee of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Second, that Art. I, Sec. 28 violates parental rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment as it deprives parents of their right to direct the upbringing and education of their minor children by excluding them from their children’s decisions regarding “reproduction.”

Third, that Art. I, Sec. 28 violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment by overriding any objection on religious grounds to endorsing, providing, or supporting procedures involving “reproduction,” thereby infringing on the rights of conscience and religious exercise protected by the First Amendment.

Fourth, that Art. I, Sec. 28 deprives preborn babies, particularly those with disabilities, newborn babies following a failed abortion, and partially born babies of the right to life without due process of law in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Fifth, that Art. I, Sec. 28 creates an unprecedented, super-right to “reproductive freedom” that remains immune from any legislative action, thereby nullifying the legitimate authority of a coordinate branch of government (the legislative branch) in violation of the Guarantee Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees private citizens the right to a republican form of government and thus protects them from the tyranny of the majority.

For more information on Right to Life of Michigan, visit here. For information on the Michigan March for Life, visit here. For a full list of state March for Life sponsors, visit here.

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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:

Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director, (989) 277-7933,  gmarnon@staging.rtl.org.

Thousands of Advocates for Life Expected to Rally in Support of Women and Children; 82 Buses Traveling to Capital City for March  

LANSING, MI– Tomorrow, Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) and the national March for Life are hosting the first-ever Michigan March for Life in Lansing. This event takes place on the one-year anniversary of the passage of anti-women, anti-life Proposal 3.

The Michigan March for Life is a peaceful gathering of Michigan citizens of all ages and backgrounds from every corner of the state committed to stand for women and children, including the unborn. There is a special focus on actively standing with women facing an unexpected pregnancy to help her make a courageous, hopeful choice for life. Speakers include a post-abortive woman, physician, foster care and adoption advocate/parent and other prolife leaders. Chuck Gaidica, former anchor, and meteorologist on Channel 4 (WDIV-TV) in Detroit, serves as the emcee for the rally.

What:         Michigan March for Life

Where:      State Capitol Lawn

                   100 N. Capitol Ave.

                   Lansing, MI 48933

When:      Wednesday, November 8

10 a.m. Pre-rally Concert

11 a.m. MI March for Life Rally at the Capitol

12 p.m. March to the Hall of Justice and Back (Approximately 1.2 miles)

Who:        Featured Speakers Include:

• Bishop Earl Boyea, Diocese of Lansing, Opening Prayer
• Genecia Davis, Keynote. (Learn more about Ms. Davis here.)
• Barbara Listing, President, Right to Life of Michigan
• Jeannie Mancini, President, National March for Life
• Mildred “Missy” Parker-Miller, Foster Care and Adoption Story
• Dr. Michelle Monticello, OB-GYN, Co-Medical Director, and OB-GYN Advisor for Life Choices of Central Michigan in Mt. Pleasant
• Legislators: Representative Jamie Greene and Senator Thomas Albert Along with Prolife Caucus Co-chairs; Representative Ann Bollin and Senator John Damoose
• Pastor Chris Brooks, Woodside Bible Church in Troy, Closing Prayer

Media RSVP:    Gracie O’Brien, Media Relations and Digital Director, Right to Life of Michigan, at Gobrien@staging.rtl.org or (616) 717-0526

“There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm across the state as we head into the Michigan March for Life. The extreme proabortion, anti-women policies being pushed in our state legislature have reminded voters who truly stands for and with women and are motivating young and old alike to action. I am grateful for the many organizations working with us to make the state march possible. I look forward to seeing so many faces I know, and many new ones join to peacefully advocate the choice for life,” said Barbara Listing, President, Right to Life of Michigan.

A list of sponsors can be found here. For additional information visit RTL.org/event/march/.

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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.

House Passage Flies in the Face of Overwhelming Public Support for Retaining Abortion Health and Safety Regulations

LANSING, MI – Last night, proabortion Democrats in the Michigan House voted along party lines (56-54) to approve the dangerous Reproductive Health Act (RHA). A combination of House and Senate bills moved to repeal several longstanding protections for women and standard health and safety oversight to the abortion industry. These bills are out of step with the will of Michigan voters.

Polling data from the Marketing Resource Group, LLC (MRG) demonstrates overwhelming support for longstanding health and safety standards for abortion clinics, regulations now threatened by RHA passage. (MRG MI Poll, Fall 2023, October 2-8, 2023, MOE 4%)

“Michigan citizens expect that surgical abortion clinics will be held to the same level of safety and sanitation as every other surgical facility in the state. Yet the passage of the RHA threatens women’s health by repealing the requirement that surgical abortion clinics be licensed, inspected, and safe. We urge our State Senators to vote no on these dangerous bills which run contrary to the will of Michigan voters,” stated Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director, Right to Life of Michigan.

The RHA strips abortion clinic licensing and inspection requirements, including regulations that ensure clinic hallways are wide enough for EMS workers and a stretcher in the case of an emergency; eliminates the requirement for sanitary humane disposal of fetal remains; removes transparency for the abortion industry by eliminating abortion reporting including abortion complication reporting; and allows for partial birth abortion to once again be performed in our state.

Due to the courageous stance of lone Democrat Karen Whitsett the bills eliminating the barrier to using taxpayer dollars to pay for other people’s abortion as well as the 24-hour waiting period for informed consent were removed from the bill package.

The bills will now head to the Senate for final passage. Right to Life of Michigan implores state senators to VOTE NO on the Reproductive Health Act in an effort to protect women’s health and safety by retaining commonsense clinic licensing and inspecting laws. Patient safety must take precedence over abortion clinic profits.

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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.

Senate Passage Flies in the Face of Overwhelming Public Support for Retaining a Women’s Right to Know through Informed Consent and Abortion Health and Safety Regulations

LANSING, MI – On October 19, proabortion Democrats in the Michigan State Senate attempted to push their counterparts in the House to pass the dangerous Reproductive Health Act. While the bills are currently stalled in the House due to concerns related to many of the hastily crafted provisions, the Senate passed central elements of the bills by a 20 to 18 vote. This brazen action comes on the heels of new polling data from the Marketing Resource Group, LLC (MRG) which demonstrates overwhelming support for longstanding legal protections for women seeking an abortion, protections now threatened by RHA passage. (MRG MI Poll, Fall 2023, October 2-8, 2023, MOE 4%)

“Today’s vote demonstrates there is no proabortion measure too extreme for the abortion lobby in Michigan and their advocates in the State Senate. The voices of Michigan voters are a clarion call to our elected leaders to protect a woman’s right to be fully informed about the risks associated with abortion and to uphold basic health and safety standards related to abortions for women and girls. We urge our State Representatives to vote no on these dangerous bills which run contrary to the will of Michigan voters,” stated Barbara Listing, President, Right to Life of Michigan.

The RHA removes informed consent and 24-hour waiting period protections, strips abortion clinic licensing regulations, including regulations that ensure clinic hallways are wide enough for EMS workers and a stretcher in the case of an emergency, eliminates the requirement for sanitary humane disposal of fetal remains, removes transparency for the abortion industry by eliminating abortion reporting, and more. Currently, the bill to eliminate the barrier to using taxpayer dollars to pay for other people’s abortion is stalled in the State House and not included in the Senate package of bills.

New polling data released Monday from MRG demonstrates

overwhelming support for existing regulations threatened by central portions of the RHA:

• 72% of Michigan voters want the 24-hour waiting period with allows for informed consent to remain in place. This is up from 63% in May; and
• A stunning 95% of Michigan voters support abortion clinic health and safety regulations. This is up from 90% in May. (See the full polling results here.)

The bills will now head to the house for consideration. Right to Life of Michigan implores all Michigan state representatives to VOTE NO on the Reproductive Health Act in an effort to protect a woman’s right to know and hold abortion clinics to basic health and safety standards for medical care.

For More Information: Contact our Legislative Director, Genevieve Marnon, (989) 277-7933, gmarnon@staging.rtl.org.

New Poll Demonstrates Overwhelming, Increased Support for Long-Standing Abortion Regulations

LANSING, MI – On Tuesday, October 17, proabortion Democrats on the Michigan State Senate Housing and Human Services Committee voted in unison to send central elements of the dangerous Reproductive Health Act (RHA) to the Senate Floor for a vote. The 8-3 vote was along party lines with every Democrat voting in favor of repealing long standing health and safety regulations, and the three Republicans voting to keep the protections in place. This brazen action comes on the heels of new polling data from the Marketing Resource Group, LLC (MRG) which demonstrates overwhelming support for longstanding legal protections for women seeking an abortion, protections now threatened by RHA passage. (MRG MI Poll, Fall 2023, October 2-8, 2023, MOE 4%)

“Today’s move by proabortion members on the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee appears to be a Hail Mary effort to move the dangerous Reproductive Health Act, currently stalled in the House,” stated Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director, Right to Life of Michigan.

The RHA removes informed consent and 24-hour waiting period protections, strips abortion clinic licensing regulations, including regulations that ensure clinic hallways are wide enough for EMS workers and a stretcher in the case of an emergency, eliminates the requirement for sanitary humane disposal of fetal remains, removes transparency for the abortion industry by eliminating abortion reporting, and more. Currently, the bill to eliminate the barrier to using taxpayer dollars to pay for other people’s abortion is stalled in the State House and not included in the Senate package of bills.

New polling data (link) released yesterday from MRG demonstrates overwhelming support for existing regulations threatened by central portions of the RHA:

• 72% of Michigan voters want the 24-hour waiting period with allows for informed consent to remain in place. This is up from 63% in May; and
• A stunning 95% of Michigan voters support abortion clinic health and safety regulations. This is up from 90% in May. (See the full polling results here).

The RHA now sits before the full Senate for a vote while stalled in the House. Right to Life of Michigan implores all Michigan state senators to VOTE NO on the Reproductive Health Act in an effort to protect a woman’s right to know and hold abortion clinics to basic health and safety standards for medical care.

For More Information: Contact our Legislative Director, Genevieve Marnon, (989) 277-7933, gmarnon@staging.rtl.org.

Right to Life of Michigan Expands Staff Team, Hires Gracie O’Brien as Media Relations and Digital Director

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Right to Life of Michigan (RLM) is pleased to announce the addition of Gracie O’Brien as its Media Relations and Digital Director. Ms. O’Brien will oversee and implement RLM’s strategic public relations priorities, represent the organization on-the-record, serve as the primary contact for all media inquiries, and oversee and implement an integrated digital and social media effort.

Ms. O’Brien brings a wealth of knowledge, having helped private sector and non-profit clients across the state develop and implement strategic, integrated media and digital marketing plans. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Digital Studies from Grand Valley State University. Ms. O’Brien is from South Lyon, MI and currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI. See photo here.

“We are thrilled that Gracie has joined our efforts at Right to Life of Michigan. Her passion and enthusiasm to advocate for women and the unborn will undoubtedly help lead to great achievements in the days ahead,” said Barbara Listing, President, RLM.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to use my training and expertise in service to the mission of life. I hope my work somehow honors the choice my mother and so many like her made when confronted with the unknown. Despite an ultimately erroneous diagnosis of Downs Syndrome for her unborn child, she made a choice for life. Without her courage, I would not be here today,” said Gracie.

Gracie’s first day at RLM was October 2. She is based out of the state office in Grand Rapids, MI and can be reached for press inquiries at (616) 717-0526.

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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.