HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2004.04.22 - 27416MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION 104108
BY: Commissioner Tom McMillin, District #11
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — PROTECTING WOMEN'S HEALTH
TO: The Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is interested in the
health of Oakland County citizens; and
WHEREAS on January 8, 2004, 15 year old Tamiia Russell died due to
complications of an abortion performed at WomanCare of Southfield an abortion facility
in Lathrup Village; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Health Department has indicated that they have
no jurisdiction over abortion facilities; and
WHEREAS in response to a recent Freedom of Information Act request from the
Michigan Department of Community Health, it appears that the abortion facility has not
been inspected by any government health agency in at least the last five years; and
WHEREAS a lack of sanitary conditions at the WomanCare of Southfield facility
could have contributed to Ms. Russell's death; and
WHEREAS abortion facilities in Michigan are treated the same as a podiatrist's
office, with basically no regulation; and
WHEREAS the Virginia House of Delegates recently passed legislation that
would protect women's health at abortion facilities by requiring those facilities to be
regulated as "ambulatory surgery centers" instead of being treated as doctor's offices; and
WHEREAS national statistics show that 10 percent of women who undergo an
abortion suffer immediate complications, including infections, excessive bleeding, fevers,
perforation of the uterus, hemorrhage and shock.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners urgently requests that the Michigan Legislature pass regulations requiring
regular health inspections of abortion facilities in Michigan and that those facilities be
regulated as "ambulatory surgery centers".
Commissioner Tom McMillin, District #11
Resolution #04108 April 22, 2004
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.