In a recent episode of the podcast Pantsuits and Lawsuits, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel engaged in a discussion with Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The conversation focused on the significant challenges to reproductive rights following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned the Roe v. Wade precedent and ended federal protections for abortion rights.
McGill Johnson detailed the ongoing, multi-faceted efforts to restrict access to reproductive healthcare post-Dobbs. She highlighted a range of issues, from cuts to Title X funding specifically targeting Planned Parenthood to Supreme Court cases that could limit Medicaid patients' choice of providers. She pointed out that in 22 states, abortion bans have left one in three American women of reproductive age without comprehensive healthcare access.
This podcast episode also touched upon the impact of Michigan voters' decision in 2022 to pass Proposal 3, which enshrined reproductive rights, including abortion access, in the state's constitution. Despite this development, Nessel underscored the need for continued vigilance in light of national groups seeking to undermine bodily autonomy rights.
Nessel stated, “Rather than respecting the choices made by individual states, anti-choice groups have continued to mount targeted legal challenges with the express purpose of chipping away at Americans' remaining rights to bodily autonomy – from abortion to IVF, birth control, and even the ability for a person to manage their own miscarriage.” She expressed gratitude towards McGill Johnson for addressing the critical challenges Planned Parenthood is currently facing.
Further, Attorney General Nessel detailed her involvement in protecting reproductive freedom, noting her participation in a coalition of 17 attorneys general. This coalition filed an amicus brief in March, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a decision recognizing Medicaid recipients' rights to select care providers, including Planned Parenthood.
The podcast Pantsuits and Lawsuits, co-hosted by Attorneys General Kris Mayes and Nessel, aims to demystify complex legal issues in an engaging and informative manner. The biweekly episodes explore legal cases, policy debates, and the various ways attorneys general influence justice, offering listeners insights into their community-focused roles.
The latest episode is currently accessible on major podcast platforms, with the subsequent installment scheduled for release on May 9.