Online reproductive health care is making a difference for rural Michiganders

Doctors and patients across the Mitten are calling Planned Parenthood’s virtual health center a game-changer for rural Michiganders. 

With already limited health care providers for the nearly 2 million Michiganders living in rural communities, many are traveling long distances to find reproductive health specialists. 

“There’s [limited] in-clinic care north of Saginaw, so a lot of folks are traveling several hours for care,” said Amanda Mazur in a recent interview with The ‘Gander.

Mazur is a founding member of Northwest Michigan for Reproductive Freedom, a grassroots group of Northwest Michiganders united behind the goal of getting a full spectrum of reproductive care—including abortion—into communities. 

She’s also experienced first-hand how Michigan’s rural maternity deserts make pregnancy and childbirth more dangerous for women and families.

“I know that when you’re seeking that care, you want to be discreet about it. You want to be able to find out the information you need without putting yourself out there too much in public view,” said Mazur. 

That’s why rural Michiganders and repro advocates like Mazur are calling Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) and their new virtual health center a game-changer for folks who want the option of getting reproductive health care services at home. 

“Our virtual health center allows Michiganders to receive many types of care without having to travel long distances, which has been critical for increasing access to rural Michiganders,” said Dr. Sarah Wallett, PPMI’s Chief Medical Operating Officer, in recent e-mail correspondence with The ‘Gander. 

With just a few clicks, Michiganders can schedule a variety of services via telehealth—ranging from birth control and emergency contraceptives to gender-affirming care—Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I’ve even had patients who have been able to do their appointments in the parking lot waiting to pick up their kids from school. It allows them to fit their health care into their lives,” Wallett said.

Wallett added that PPMI’s virtual health center removes barriers for those who may struggle to pull together funds needed to travel, take time off work, or arrange childcare. By removing these barriers—otherwise known as social determinants of health—Wallet said patients feel more comfortable and open to talking about their health care needs.

“When patients receive care in the location of their own choosing, they often feel more comfortable expressing their questions or concerns, and our clinicians can provide the compassionate, individualized care they deserve.”

Having more access to providers allows rural Michiganders to become fully informed when making important health care decisions. While Mazur believes that PPMI’s virtual health center is a great step in expanding access, she believes there’s still work to be done.

“We can’t forget or ignore the patients that would prefer in-clinic care or patients that are a little further along in their pregnancy,” said Mazur. 

This is also a concern for Democrats in the Michigan Legislature, who have been doing their part to ensure Michiganders legally have the right to access reproductive care and to remove unnecessary barriers from them receiving that care. 

“Overall, I would think that it’s making a big impact and being able to get people the care they need when they need it,” Mazur said. “Any way that we can further expand that is very important.”