Judge dismisses lawsuit against Michigan's public abortion funding ban

In Michigan, a judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the longstanding ban on taxpayer-funded abortions for low-income residents. This decision was made by Judge Brock Swartzle of the Michigan Court of Claims on July 3, 2025. The plaintiffs, YWCA Kalamazoo, filed the lawsuit to advocate for funding of Medicaid-supported abortions, arguing that approximately 75% of women seeking abortions through their organization would qualify for state support if such funding were allowable. However, Judge Swartzle concluded that the YWCA did not have legal standing to bring forth the challenge. Despite Michigan voters approving a constitutional amendment in 2022 to ensure a right to abortion, the decades-old prohibition on taxpayer-funded abortions remains in effect. Under current Michigan Medicaid regulations, coverage for abortions is limited to cases where the woman’s life is in danger or in instances of rape or incest. The judge emphasized that the YWCA, as a nonprofit organization, cannot claim reproductive rights and does not directly provide abortion services, which contributed to the rationale for dismissing the case. The ruling represents a continuation of the historical restrictions on public funding for abortions in Michigan, regardless of which political group has held power over the legislative or executive branches. The decision may have significant implications for low-income women seeking abortion services in the state, especially as they often face financial barriers that could deny them access to safe reproductive healthcare. Furthermore, while the YWCA Kalamazoo sought to represent the interests of low-income women, the court's ruling indicates a complex interplay between organizational advocacy and the legal frameworks that define rights to healthcare. The ACLU and law firm Goodwin Procter, who represent YWCA Kalamazoo, were unable to provide immediate comments following the ruling.