A message from Michigan Medicine leadership on U.S. Supreme Court ruling

Dear Michigan Medicine community,

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) announced its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overruling the Roe v. Wade decision, the historic 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion in the United States. This action by SCOTUS does not ban abortions nationwide. It does, however, allow states to restrict or ban abortions in ways not permitted under Roe and in manners that will significantly limit access to reproductive care nationwide.

U-M Health remains committed to providing high-quality, safe reproductive care for patients, across all their reproductive health needs. This includes abortion care, which remains legal in Michigan while challenges to various state-law criminal statutes continue to proceed. Michigan Medicine will continue to offer these services, based on Michigan court rulings.

Many of the patients we see are diagnosed with fetal anomalies or experience other complications that make ongoing pregnancy and giving birth dangerous, or they have serious underlying illnesses or other needs that make abortion care in an outpatient facility not possible. At Michigan Medicine’s hospitals, we primarily provide abortions for patients who need hospital-level care. Our commitment is to be there for those who need the specialized care we can offer.

We will continue to monitor activity in the courts at both the national and state levels that may affect the care and education we are able to provide.

To learn more, visit the university’s Key Issues page, which includes a statement from U-M President Mary Sue Coleman.

Sincerely,

Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, University of Michigan Medical School
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs
CEO, Michigan Medicine

Steven L. Kunkel, Ph.D.
Executive Vice Dean for Research, Medical School
Chief Scientific Officer, Michigan Medicine
Peter A. Ward Distinguished University Professor

David C. Miller, M.D., MPH
President, U-M Health
Executive Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs, Medical School
Professor of Urology

Debra F. Weinstein, M.D.
Executive Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Learning Health Sciences and Internal Medicine, Medical School
Chief Academic Officer, Michigan Medicine