Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Dem Leader Greimel and Ingham Dems

Package would expand education, health care options for women

LANSING - House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon), Tom Cochran (D-Mason), Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“We have all heard from women and their families across Michigan that they need better access to women’s health care services,” said Greimel. “This legislative package puts women’s health care issues front and center where they should be. It says that our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and all the women in our lives deserve the best health care possible and that House Democrats will fight to see that they get it.”

“These bills aim to fix the problems that too many women experience in the health care system.” said Cochran.

The package of legislation includes:

• House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)

• HR 138, urging the DCH to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)

• HR 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)

• House Bill 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)

• HB 4722, which directs the Department of Community Health (DCH) to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)

• HB 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)

• HB 4260, requiring doctors to give information on breast density and give notice to women who have dense breast tissue that they may want to seek further testing (Rep. Winnie Brinks)

“This package of legislation will significantly improve women’s access to health care, and the information that is available to girls and women of all ages,” said Singh. “Health care is a woman’s right and she shouldn’t have to break down barriers to get the care she needs. These bills address a critical need in Michigan and should be quickly approved and signed into law.”

“These proposals go a long way toward addressing women’s health concerns in Michigan,” said Schor. “I continually hear that the Legislature and state need to do more to address women’s health. These common sense proposals show that women’s health is a top priority for Michigan and we are ready to proactively address the problems that need to be faced by women in our own families and all Michigan women.”