Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are enjoying the start of the fall season.
As the Senate works through a robust agenda — delivering results for Michiganders to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, promote health and well-being, invest in our students’ futures and more — I hope to provide an update on some of the important legislation we’re working on, as well as information on an upcoming event we have planned.
As always, if you, or someone you know, wants to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to us at any time. You can email us at SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-6960.
In Service,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21
Featured in this Newsletter
- Legislative Update
- Community Updates and Resources
Legislative Updates
Auto No-Fault Reform
I partnered with Senator Mary Cavanagh to introduce Senate Bills 530 and 531. This package of legislation will improve access to care for people who have been injured in auto accidents by addressing some of the unintended consequences of the 2019 reform law.
We all want to do what we can to help Michiganders save money and lower costs for people, including the cost of auto insurance. But that shouldn’t be done at the expense of people who have been severely injured and permanently disabled by an auto accident. These bills build on three main components of the law that have most directly impacted survivors & providers, contributing to the loss of care felt across our state:
- Modify the reimbursement structure under the Medicare fee schedule, establishing a consistent rate among providers;
- Establish a new non-Medicare fee schedule, ensuring specialized care is accounted for in the law and is available to survivors; and
- Expand access to home care options, allowing patients to receive the care they need from caregivers they love and trust.
Most recently, Senator Cavanagh and I provided testimony in front of the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection. As part of the legislative process, we are still having ongoing conversations with constituents, community organizations, stakeholders and survivors and their families to ensure the legislation best addresses residents’ concerns.
Read more about these bills here.
Mental Health Parity Law
My bill, Senate Bill 27, recently received a committee hearing before the Senate Committee on Health Policy. The intent of this legislation is to accomplish two main goals:
- To provide Michigan residents with greater, equitable access to necessary mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment.
- To ensure our state law mirrors the current federal mental health parity laws to avoid any potential ambiguity.
Under this legislation, insurers must provide coverage for mental health benefits equitable to corresponding levels of medical/surgical benefits. This would mean that benefits such as deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums and treatment limitations for mental health or substance use disorders must not be more restrictive than the requirements or parameters offered for physical health conditions and procedures.
Promise Zone Modernization
Senator Rosemary Bayer introduced two bills, Senate Bills 350 and 555, to bolster Promise Zones throughout Michigan. These Zones are public-private partnerships led by Promise Zone Authorities composed of local public officials and private sector leaders in their respective areas to create community-based universal scholarship programs that raise educational attainment levels and promote economic development.
SB 350 modifies the Michigan Promise Zone Act to include expenses for on-campus room and board at educational institutions. SB 555 clarifies eligibility for membership on any given Promise Zone board to ensure that members of each Promise Zone board live in the Promise Zone area or in close proximity of the zone. By making these changes, we are helping foster educational attainment and boost student success. I look forward to continuing the work with stakeholders and my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to move this legislation forward.
You can learn more here about Promise Zones and how they operate.
Security Deposits
I recently introduced Senate Bill 539 that would provide landlords the option to return security deposits to tenants via direct deposit or electronic transfer. In a time when digital transactions have largely become the norm, allowing electronic security deposit returns will modernize and streamline this process for landlords and tenants alike.
This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services where it awaits a hearing.
Child Marriage Ban
I’m so proud that Gov. Whitmer signed the final bill in our package of legislation to protect youth in Michigan by raising the minimum age of consent for marriage to 18 years old.
Rep. Kara Hope and I re-introduced this legislation time and time again, and I’m so pleased that Michigan is now the 10th state in the country to ban child marriage and end this archaic practice.
Community Updates
Upcoming Coffee Hour
I hope you’ll join me for my next coffee and conversation event! I will discuss district updates and legislative priorities with residents across Senate District 21.
WHEN: Monday, October 23, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Dr, Lansing, MI 48917
You can RSVP by clicking here.
Michigan Psychiatric Society Visit
I recently met with the Michigan Psychiatric Society to discuss the impact of their work on our policy making here in Lansing. It’s so important to hear from the individuals who are experts in their field as we craft legislation focused on mental health care and access.
UAW Strike
We continue to stand with the workers who are still on strike in the fight for better pay and working conditions. Considering the recent strike at the GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant, I wanted to provide resources for those who may be potentially impacted by the UAW strike.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has offered their assistance to all affected state business owners and workers — including the following resources:
- The Claimant Roadmap
- First-time filer coaching sessions
- UIA Community Connect
- Assistance with resetting account passwords
- Work Share
- Registration and Seeking Work Waiver
- Employer Filed Claims
To connect with your local Michigan Works! service center for career services, call (800) 285-WORKS (9675) or visit Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.
For additional assistance, workers can schedule appointments at Michigan.gov/UIAor call Customer Service at (866) 500-0017.