RUNNING head: Bill Analysis

Bill Analysis
Derrick J. Moss
Marygrove College

RUNNING head: Bill Analysis

What is the title of the policy/bill?

The title of the bill is Woman Health Rider Law. The Bill is on the state level,
basically passed without a single committee hearing or any opportunity for public testimony,
(Senator Whitmer 2013).
What is the bill number?
The Senate Bill No. 613 was introduced September 7, 2011. The Bill basically forces
woman to purchase additional insurance to cover complications of a pregnancy, abortion even in
cases of rape, incest or when her health is in jeopardy.
What level of government are you working with?
The Bill is on the state level and is housed by the Committee on Health Policy. The Bill
was sponsored by Senators JANSEN, SCHUITMAKER, ROBERTSON, GREEN,
BRANDENBURG, COLBECK, CASWELL, HILDENBRAND AND EMMONS.
What are the key words, phrases, or concepts associated with the policy/bill?
The key words listed in the bill are: Insurance, health benefits, health, and abortion. It
basically allow insurance companies to decide if they want to provide additional coverage and
only if certain conditions are met. An example would be if a woman want to have an abortion
she must take out additional rider for that coverage.
Where does the policy/bill reside?
This bill currently resides in the Committee on Health Policy.

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What is the current status of the bill/policy?

The current status of this bill is currently being repealed. State Senate Democratic Leader
Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) and State Rep. Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores),
proposed legislation earlier this year to repeal SB 1010 and HB 5697 that was passed into law in
December of 2013. Sen. Whitmer and State Rep. Roberts delivered letters to Senate Majority
Leader Randy Richardville and House Insurance Committee Chair Rep. Pete Lund but have
received no indication that the Republican majorities in either body plan to take up the
legislation. (Sen. Whitmer.senatedems.com.)
Do you know how your legislator voted on this policy/bill?
Senator Morris Hood and Representative David Nathan did not vote on this bill nor any
other members who opposed it. Because the Republicans caved in to special interest demands to
pass the law and it was never put to a vote for the previous November election.
Explain why you support or not support this bill/policy?
I support the legislation to repeal this law. I think a woman should have the right to make
decisions about her body. No one should have the right to tell a woman what she can do with her
body. You cannot be judge and jury in this country we do have freedom of choice, to make
decisions that we feel is in our best interest. And I might add that when voters were polled they
denounced the bill which was also vetoed by two Republican Governors John Engler and Rick
Snyder. The bill punishes woman who may need a medical procedure that may preserve their
health, in the case of a miscarriage or being impregnated due to rape which they would have an
abortion. It is an absolute travesty that woman know matter what their circumstances, are being
forced to pay for additional insurance to cover expenses that their insurance should cover. They

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basically said a woman has no rights to her body and we will make a judgment call on what we
feel is appropriate as it relates to her body and health. They chose not to listen to countless
woman, men, doctors, nurses, legal experts, and business owners who opposed this law; that
would support the repeal of this law. Furthermore, it makes it hard for small business who want
to offer full health coverage to woman. These businesses now are faced with added cost and a
shrinking work force because of this bill.
Impression/conclusion
My impression of this bill analysis was I learned a great deal about the legislative
process. It is not always fair and there are deals made behind closed doors that we will never
know. Also if you have a majority then you have the power to change or enact laws to satisfy
your particular interest or in this case cave in to pressure from special interest. This has opened
my eyes to the reality of how bills get passed into law, but more importantly who are for or
against these bills. As a people we need to get more involved with the whole process, and do our
research so that we can bring these things to our elected officials.

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References
http://www.housedems.com/news/article/house-dems-woman-s-health-rider-law-a-stepbackward-for-michigan
http://whitmer.senatedems.com/news