abortion access is a public health issue

help me fight for abortion access when I get to Congress [Pamela Pugh for Congress]( This is Dr. Pamela Pugh reaching out to speak up and use my voice as an advocate and a public health expert as I run for Congress. By now, I’m sure you’ve all seen the heartbreaking news out of Arizona this week and Florida last week, where draconian abortion bans will go into place starting next month. As a public health expert, let me say this about the recent awful news out of Arizona and Florida: Abortion bans do not stop abortions, they simply endanger pregnant women, stop them from life-saving healthcare, and ultimately increase maternal death rates. Here in Michigan, researchers predicted maternal deaths would increase by 25% if our state banned abortion. Black maternal death rates would have risen even further than that. Thankfully, Michigan’s Democratic leaders did the opposite, and Michigan voters passed a ballot measure in 2022 that enshrined the right to an abortion in our state’s constitution. However, millions of women in other states – and now in Florida and Arizona – face abortion bans at six weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. We have already seen numerous stories about these bans around the country forcing people to continue a pregnancy against their will, even when serious health threats or complications exist. If I make it to Congress, I will do everything I can as a public health expert to fight for legislation that will make abortion access the law of the land and restore the protections provided by Roe v. Wade. [If you can help me get there, please make a donation today. Any amount helps.]( If you've stored your info with ActBlue Express, we'll process your contribution instantly: [DONATE $8]( [DONATE $20.24]( [DONATE $100]( [ANOTHER AMOUNT]( solidarity, – Dr. Pamela Pugh --------------------------------------------------------------- I’m Dr. Pamela Pugh, and I’m a Saginaw native running for Congress in Michigan's 8th District. I've spent my career fighting to improve the lives of Michigan residents through public health initiatives, and as the Chief Public Health Advisor for Flint I played a pivotal role in standing alongside Flint residents during the water crisis. As a public servant, I currently serve as the President of the Michigan State Board of Education, a statewide elected position. I believe in standing up for the people and fighting for our democracy, our children, and our future. I've lived in Michigan's 8th District for my entire life and it will be the honor of a lifetime to represent my community in the House of Representatives. I'm relying on grassroots contributions to fuel my campaign to victory — [so please chip in what you can right now!]( Our email list is an important tool for us to reach Democrats and activists in Michigan and around the country. If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, please use [this link to unsubscribe.]( Pugh for Michigan 4580 State Street Saginaw, MI 48603 United States Unit 138 Paid for by Pugh for Michigan | Eric Welsby, Treasurer