NEW AD: MI Mom Who Needed Emergency Abortion Calls Out Congressman Huizenga’s Support for National Abortion Ban
Anti-abortion extremism leaves patients like Darcy Houchin without access to lifesaving care
MICHIGAN –– In a new digital ad from Free & Just, Darcy Houchin, a mom from Paw Paw who needed an emergency abortion during a medical crisis, is calling out Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-04) for cosponsoring federal legislation that could effectively ban abortion nationwide. The ad, which is part of six-figure buy across key congressional districts, comes as attacks on access to all types of reproductive health care continue to escalate.
In 2024, Darcy was 18 weeks pregnant when her water broke. At the hospital, doctors told her she needed an emergency abortion to end the pregnancy and protect her health. But because of Michigan's mandatory 24-hour waiting period, Darcy was told she would have to wait before receiving the care she needed.
Later that day, Darcy learned that a state court had issued a preliminary injunction suspending the waiting-period requirement. She was able to receive the abortion that evening.
Darcy later became pregnant again and gave birth to a son in January 2026.
Rep. Huizenga is a co-sponsor of H.R. 722, the Life at Conception Act, an extreme national abortion ban that contains no explicit exceptions for rape, incest or medical emergencies. In November 2022, just months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Michiganders overwhelmingly voted to approve Proposal 3, enshrining protections for reproductive freedom in the state constitution.
Following the launch of the ad, Darcy Houchin released the following statement:
“My family and I endured cruelty because of medically unnecessary abortion restrictions here in Michigan. We carry the trauma of that experience with us every single day. Our pain is compounded by every senseless new attack on reproductive freedom launched by politicians like Congressman Bill Huizenga. Abortion bans are killing women and causing generational harm to families across this country. I will continue to share my story and stand up to the lawmakers who think they know better than medical experts.”
Ad Transcript:
After years of trying, I was thrilled to be pregnant.
But something went really wrong.
I needed an emergency abortion to save my life.
Bill Huizenga supports an abortion ban that would risk the lives of women like me.
If you are interested in speaking with Darcy, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.