Measure bans dismemberment abortions in Michigan

The Michigan House today approved a plan introduced by state Rep. Pamela Hornberger to protect a mother and child from a dismemberment abortion.

A dismemberment abortion, or “dilation and evacuation” (D&E), is an abortion in which a health care worker intentionally uses an instrument, device, or object to dismember a living fetus out of a uterus.

The legislation from Hornberger is part of a plan to ban the procedure and create penalties for violators.

“I will stand to protect the life of a child and mother from this heinous act,” said Hornberger, of Chesterfield Township. “We have a moral responsibility to protect life from beginning to end. This plan is about protecting the dignity and life of children who cannot defend themselves.”

Abortion is the leading cause of death in Michigan. Twelve states already have had legislation signed into law that bans dismemberment abortions.

According to data published by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 1,777 D&E abortions in Michigan in 2017. That is nearly five dismemberment abortions per day.

House Bill 4320 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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