EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2022

EVENT: “What comes after Roe? Michigan Experts Discuss Law, Policy, Health and Economics”

DETAILS: The U-M Center for the Education of Women+, Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG) and the Ford School of Public Policy will host a virtual panel about the potential implications of a possible Roe v. Wade overturn.

In response to the recent leaked draft Supreme Court opinion—which would eliminate the constitutional right to abortion as settled in the landmark 1973 court decision—this conversation will feature U-M law, public policy and medical faculty members providing their expert perspectives about possible implications, at the campus, state and national levels should Roe be overturned. 

The high court has confirmed the leaked draft was an authentic document but said, “it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”

“The decision by five Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe will probably come as a shock to many people,” said Anna Kirkland, IRWG director and panel moderator. “Our aim is to inform our students, colleagues and the public about what the loss of abortion as a federal constitutional right could mean in Michigan and across the country.”

The faculty panel includes Betsey Stevenson, professor of public policy and economics; Leah Litman, associate professor of law; Dee Fenner, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology; and Sarah Miller, assistant professor of business economics and public policy. 

“The impact of criminalization of abortion in Michigan, except to save the life of the mother, will have a profound impact on women and families, and exacerbate health care disparities and maternal mortality,” Fenner said.

Panelists will share their insights about the leaked Supreme Court opinion, discuss the financial and health consequences if abortion access is criminalized, and explore the outlook for the future of other rights—LGBTQ, marriage, contraception—based on the leaked majority opinion. 

PLACE: The virtual event is free and open to the public.
RSVP: Visit the event page for more information and to register.