LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Following the US Supreme Court ruling that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, top leadership from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) spoke out on the ripple effects the decision will have on Michigan women, families and economy.
“The decision to end access to safe, legal abortion will place yet another harsh barrier to opportunities and prosperity for millions of Michiganders and further threaten their financial stability and security,” said LEO director, Susan Corbin. “Access to abortion has meant higher levels of education and professional achievements for women and lower rates of child poverty. Coupled with our country’s lack of national paid parental leave, fully funded child care and equal pay for women, this decision will have lasting, detrimental ripple effects that will hurt the health and wealth of our people and our economy.”
“The Poverty Task Force has worked to remove barriers to prosperity for struggling Michigan families,” said LEO deputy director of Prosperity and head of the task force, Kim Trent. “When people are forced to carry a pregnancy to term against their will, everyone suffers. Far too often, poverty is criminalized, with parents losing custody of their children because they cannot provide adequate food, water, housing and other life staples. Forcing people to become parents while denying them access to resources is cruel and immoral.”
“Access to the full range of reproductive health care options provides vital economic security for people who become pregnant,” said the CEO of the Michigan Women’s Commission, Cheryl Bergman. “The choices of whether or when to have a child are fundamental decisions for any individual – ones that carry life-altering financial, social, physical and emotional consequences. Today’s (Friday’s) decision is immoral, unjust, and we will fight as hard as we can in Michigan to protect women and families.”
