Michigan State Representative Laurie Pohutsky is facing controversy and even death threats after revealing that she underwent permanent sterilization due to fears about the political climate under President Donald Trump.
In an interview with FOX 2, Pohutsky explained that her decision was deeply personal and years in the making. However, she said Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 heightened her concerns over access to contraceptive care and insurance coverage.
“I don’t know what this woman is doing other than just encouraging young women to render themselves infertile,” she said. “I think that this administration is going to be supportive of not just women’s health but everyone’s health. Everyone is going to benefit and will have health and longevity, not just for ourselves, but also for our children.”
“That made me worry about things like insurance coverage, whether or not all hospital systems would even continue providing that level of care depending on what came out of Washington,” she said.
Pohutsky pointed to previous efforts during Trump’s first term to roll back insurance coverage for contraceptives as a factor in her choice.
Her statement has sparked intense reactions, with some praising her transparency while others have criticized her remarks as politically charged. Pro-life advocate and attorney Rebecca Kiessling condemned the comments as reckless, arguing that they serve to incite unnecessary fear about Trump’s policies.
Despite the backlash, Pohutsky stands by her sterilization decision, emphasizing that it was a private matter influenced by broader concerns about reproductive rights and healthcare access.
