Today, the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MIAAP) released the following statement on protecting youth access to reproductive care in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade and Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order protecting access to abortion services:

“The recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has left many patients, families, and providers uncertain about access to reproductive health care in Michigan. In accordance with AAP policy, the MIAAP strongly supports the right for our patients to receive comprehensive, evidence-based care in the context of a confidential physician-patient relationship, including abortion care. Adolescents are at risk for health disparities for a variety of psychosocial and legal reasons and this decision will make access to care more difficult. Limiting access to reproductive health care will disproportionately affect adolescents, especially those in medically vulnerable communities and those of limited means. As of today, access to contraception has not been affected and abortion is still legal in Michigan. As pediatricians, we will continue to advocate for our patients’ health and confidential physician-patient relationships.”

On July 13th, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order protecting abortion services providers in the state, as well as women who come to Michigan seeking reproductive healthcare. This comes as the Whitmer Administration asks the state Supreme Court to consider the constitutionality of a 1931 law banning abortion in the state altogether.