by Oscar Buynevich
The University of Michigan has created an abortion task force following the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion suggesting that Roe v. Wade may be overturned.
The move was announced in the university’s faculty newspaper, The University Record.
If abortion is banned or largely restricted in Michigan following a Supreme Court ruling, the task force plans to “outline guidance for clinical providers and work to establish resources for accessing out-of-state abortions that can be provided to patients and others in the campus community”, according to The University Record.
The Record reported:
The task force is making plans to manage in a post-Roe v. Wade environment, by determining how an abortion ban could affect clinical care, educational instruction, student health and more.
A draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that became public earlier this month indicates the court could overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a nationwide constitutional right to abortion.
In Michigan, a 1931 law banning abortion care could take effect if the court overturns Roe v. Wade. The state law that would be resurrected if Roe falls is subject to multiple ongoing lawsuits, including one brought by Planned Parenthood of Michigan and another by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The U-M task force is preparing for different scenarios given the various possible outcomes at the state and federal level.
“The specter of a complete ban on abortion care in Michigan is worrisome. I strongly support access to abortion care,” President Mary Sue Coleman said. “We have a female-dominated institution; we care about our own communities as well as those we serve through clinical care and education. I am deeply concerned about how prohibiting abortion would affect U-M’s medical teaching, our research, and our service to communities in need.”
The task force was convened by University President Mary Sue Coleman and executive vice president of medical affairs Marschall S. Runge.
The university-affiliated Michigan Medicine facilities are also involved with the task force’s intended plans.
“For now, Michigan Medicine remains dedicated to and continues to provide the full spectrum of women’s health services, including abortion care,” the university article states.
Campus Reform has covered the reaction to the May 2 Supreme Court leak in higher education. Reactions have included protests and vandalism.
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Oscar Buynevich is a junior at Temple University majoring in history and political science. He currently works as a campaign intern for 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Lou Barletta, and as an opposition research intern for a private firm. On campus, he serves on the executive board of Alpha Tau Omega, America’s leadership development fraternity. A student and son of a college professor, Oscar knows firsthand the dangerous extent to which liberal bias has permeated into colleges.
