Michigan Democrats are racing against the clock to pass legislation bolstering reproductive health care, notably safeguarding the privacy of digital health data, before Republicans assume control of the state House in January 2025.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is championing a bill aimed at protecting sensitive reproductive health facts, including data collected by menstrual cycle tracking apps. Similar legislation enacted in other states seeks to prevent this data from being used to target individuals seeking abortions.
“This feels like an incredibly urgent need to get this done while we have a window of possibility in Michigan with the Democratic majority for the next few weeks,” said state Senator Mallory McMorrow, the bill’s sponsor.
The urgency stems from the expectation that passing such legislation will become substantially more challenging once republicans take over the state house in January. While Democrats retained control of the state Senate in the November election, they anticipate facing greater resistance to their reproductive health care agenda.
Republicans have voiced opposition to the digital privacy bill, citing concerns that a specific provision would hinder anti-abortion advertising.
Other reproductive health measures slated for consideration during the december legislative session, which commenced on Tuesday, include a package focused on improving Black maternal health and expanding access to birth control.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, women in states with strict abortion bans expressed growing anxieties about the potential misuse of their health information to track their reproductive choices.Menstrual cycle tracking apps became a focal point of these concerns.
“Abortion is constitutionally protected in Michigan. But McMorrow expressed skepticism towards President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to veto any potential national abortion ban, as well as his campaign’s efforts to distance itself from Project 2025, which proposed rolling back abortion and contraception access.
Period tracking apps enable women to meticulously record daily details about their health, encompassing the intensity of their menstrual flow and other relevant information.
Michigan lawmakers are pushing forward with legislation aimed at safeguarding the privacy of reproductive health data, a move that comes amid growing concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive information in a post-Roe v. Wade world.
The proposed bill, which recently cleared a key legislative hurdle, would impose strict regulations on businesses and organizations handling reproductive health data, including menstrual cycle tracking apps and retailers. It seeks to prevent the sale of such data without explicit consent from individuals and would prohibit the use of location data to target individuals seeking reproductive healthcare services, such as those visiting abortion clinics.
“These tools are really valuable,” said sen.Erika Geiss, a Democrat and sponsor of the bill. “I just want to make sure that the guardrails are there when indications from the incoming federal governance is they would possibly weaponize the data in a way that is very risky.”
Geiss’s concerns stem from the lack of thorough federal privacy protections for health data. While federal law prohibits medical providers from sharing patient information without consent, it doesn’t extend the same safeguards to digital tech companies that collect and potentially sell menstrual cycle data or location information.
The Michigan bill mirrors similar efforts in other states, such as Washington and Virginia, which have enacted laws to protect reproductive health data. Michigan’s proposal goes a step further by addressing the use of geofencing, a technology that allows marketers to target individuals based on their location.
This provision has drawn criticism from anti-abortion groups, who argue that it would prevent them from reaching women considering abortion with their message. “This isn’t safeguarding women’s reproductive health data,” said Genevieve Marnon, legislative director for Right to Life of Michigan.”It is indeed limiting the options presented to women.”
Republican lawmakers have also expressed concerns, arguing that the geofencing provision infringes on freedom of speech and religion.Despite the opposition, the bill advanced through the Senate committee on a party-line vote and is now headed for a full Senate vote.
The debate over reproductive health data privacy is likely to intensify in the coming months and years, as more states grapple with the implications of the supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v.Wade. Advocates for reproductive rights argue that strong privacy protections are essential to ensure that individuals can access the healthcare they need without fear of surveillance or discrimination.
Simultaneously occurring, Michigan Democrats are pursuing a broader agenda focused on improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women who face disproportionately high rates of pregnancy-related complications and mortality. A package of bills aimed at addressing these disparities recently passed the Senate and is now under consideration in the House.
Michigan lawmakers are facing a packed agenda during this year’s short “lame duck” session, with a fierce battle brewing over reproductive rights legislation. State Senator Mallory McMorrow, a Democrat, is spearheading a series of bills aimed at expanding access to reproductive healthcare, including coverage for fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
McMorrow’s proposals also seek to make long-acting reversible contraception, such as implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), more readily available to new mothers before they are discharged from the hospital. “We need to make sure that every Michigander has access to the full range of reproductive healthcare options,” McMorrow stated. “These bills are a critical step in that direction.”
However, the push for reproductive rights legislation faces stiff competition for time and attention. Other pressing issues, including economic advancement, infrastructure improvements, and gun control measures, are also vying for legislative consideration.
Adding to the complexity, contentious debates are expected over proposed increases to the state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave requirements. These discussions could significantly reduce the time available to debate reproductive health measures.
The outcome of these legislative battles remains uncertain, but the stakes are high for Michigan residents seeking access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
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## Fighting for Digital Privacy: A Michigan Lawmaker Explains the Race Against time
**By Emily Carter, senior Editor, World Today News**
**Lansing, michigan** – With the clock ticking down to Republican control of the Michigan House in January 2025, Democratic lawmakers are in a frantic race to pass legislation safeguarding sensitive reproductive health data, particularly details gathered by menstrual cycle tracking apps.
We spoke to Senator Mallory McMorrow, the bill’s sponsor, to understand the urgency driving this push adn the potential ramifications of inaction.
**World Today News:** Senator McMorrow,thanks for speaking with us.Can you elaborate on why this legislation is so crucial,especially given the impending shift in power dynamics within the state legislature?
**Senator McMorrow:** This bill is absolutely essential. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we saw a surge of fear and anxiety among women about the misuse of their personal health information. Menstrual tracking apps became a focal point of these concerns.
Right now, we have a unique window of possibility to protect Michigan residents. The Democratic majority allows us to enact meaningful change. Come January, with Republicans taking over the House, the path to passing such crucial legislation will become substantially more challenging.
**World today News:** the bill has raised some concerns, particularly from anti-abortion groups, who claim that provisions limiting the use of geofencing technology infringe upon their free speech and ability to reach women considering abortion. How would you address these concerns?
**Senator McMorrow:** This bill is not about limiting anyone’s speech. It’s about protecting individual privacy in a deeply personal and sensitive area. Using geofencing to target individuals based on their location as they seek healthcare is an invasion of privacy and could have a chilling effect on access to essential reproductive services.
Right now, there’s no federal law safeguarding mentrual health data collected by apps. This bill fills this critical gap, protecting individuals from potentially harmful use of their information.
**World Today News:** What are the next steps for this legislation?
**Senator McMorrow:** The bill has passed through the Senate committee and is now heading for a full Senate vote.We’re hopeful it will pass and reach the Governor’s desk for her signature. This is a fight for privacy, bodily autonomy, and reproductive justice.We won’t back down.
**World Today News:** thank you for your time, Senator.
The debate surrounding digital privacy and reproductive healthcare is ongoing, mirroring a national struggle to balance individual rights with technological advancement. Michigan’s Legislative session will continue to be closely watched as lawmakers grapple with these complex issues.
