Ibis partners with MI Lead to focus on state-specific research for advocates

February 2015

The Michigan-based advocacy organization MI Lead, a nonpartisan coalition focused on improving the lives of women and families in the state, hosted staff from Ibis and the Center for Reproductive Rights to discuss the release of a recent research brief. The Evaluating Priorities Michigan state brief measured women’s and children’s health and well-being against abortion restrictions, providing an in-depth examination of Michigan’s data following the release of the national report this fall. The study ranks Michigan as the 18th most restrictive state in terms of abortion nationally, and 40th and 31st for women and children’s health, respectively.

Dr. Amanda Dennis of Ibis and Merissa Kovach of MI Lead were interviewed about the report on Michigan radio station WKAR. Dr. Dennis expressed her hope that this research would help to dismantle claims that policymakers who restrict abortion are doing so in the interest of women’s and children’s health. Merissa spoke to the importance of having data in their work advocating for families, and pointed out that the report “looks at the entire scope of health care for women and children and highlighted areas where Michigan can do better, where we can find common ground with Michigan legislature.” MI Lead plans to be a resource to the state legislature on broad matters that affect women’s health, including issues of economic justice and access to education. Ibis is proud to work with our advocate colleagues to support evidence-based policies that promote and protect the health of women and children.

Learn more about the Evaluating Priorities work here.