Dear Friends,

I hope you are safe and healthy as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together and the changes it has made to our lives. Now more than ever, it’s evident that health care is a fundamental issue in our district and across the state of Michigan.

Health care is important to every single one of us, which is why I’ve compiled this newsletter with resources on reproductive health, expanding postpartum care, mental health resources, and affordable childcare.

During my tenure as your state senator, it’s been my priority to write legislation that provides quality and affordable health care for Michigan families. I’ve been proud to support bills to eliminate the tampon tax, support women’s reproductive rights, support Black maternal health care, promote expanded mental health care, support our health
care workers during the pandemic, and more.

When you call, email or write a letter to my office, you are helping me better represent the issues you value. If you would like to share your ideas or if you need assistance with navigating our state government, you can contact my office by email at SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov, or by phone at (517) 373-2417. You can also call toll-free at (855)DIST012 (347-8012).

Also, if you would like to receive updates about current issues at the Capitol, you can sign up for my e-newsletter at SenatorBayer.com.

Working for You in Lansing,

Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
12th District

Website: SenatorBayer.com
Email: SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov
Toll-Free: (855) DIST012 (855-347-8012)
Phone: (855) 347-8012
Click here to review PDF version of newsletter

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COVID-19 Resources

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High-quality reproductive health resources should be available and accessible to Michiganders who need them. I believe those who can become pregnant have a right to make their own decisions about what is best for them and their families.

If you, a friend, or a family member is planning to start a family, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides Family Planning resources for women, men, and teens for little to no cost on their website, Michigan.gov/MDHHS.

Among these resources are:

• Information on birth control and sexual health
• Assistance choosing a birth control method best for you
• Help planning a healthy pregnancy
• Pregnancy testing and counseling
• Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Preventive health exams to screen for cancer or other health issues

Late last year, I was proud to support the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which would protect every Michigander’s right to accessible and quality reproductive health care, including having an abortion, and that would remove unnecessary barriers people currently face when seeking personal medical procedures in Michigan. I look forward to continuing work on this legislation so we can proudly continue to protect your constitutional right to choose.

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During these extraordinary times, it is normal for Michiganders of all ages to feel a wide range of emotions. Given the uncertainty of an ongoing public health crisis, a rapidly changing climate, and the fraught nature of our current political reality, feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety can have enduring effects on our personal well-being and mental health.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides a variety of resources that can help, and that are available in your area or remotely via phone call, text messaging, and video.

The Stay Well program was created in April 2020 through a partnership between MDHHS and the Michigan Public Health Institute as a way for Michigan residents to connect with mental health professionals, confi dentially and with trained crisis counselors, who are available 24/7.

The services that are offered include:

• Psychoeducational and emotional support.
• Virtual support groups for Michigan teachers, seniors, teens, health care workers and others.
• Access to community-based organizations, faith-based groups, nonprofits, and professional associations who partner with the Stay Well program.

To access these services at your convenience, please call the Michigan COVID-19 information hotline at (888) 535-6136 and press the number “8”, or text “RESTORE” to the number 741741. Visit Michigan.gov/StayWell for more information.

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The traditional two months of postpartum care provided to those who give birth to a child is increasingly falling short. This is why I am working to shift our perspective of pregnancy to include a fourth trimester and enact legislation to help better support those who are trying to balance raising a newborn while healing from the physical and mental effects of giving birth.

I co-sponsored Senate Bill 252, which would expand temporary, pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage to one year after childbirth to improve maternal health outcomes and decrease postpartum mortality rates. Experts agree the ongoing physical and behavioral health of the birthing parent is a major concern during and after pregnancy, especially among communities of color and low-income families. This legislation would expand health care options in a manner that is consistent with reality — which is that most birthing parents are not getting care beyond the archaic, bare minimum standards. These disparities and shortcomings in our health care system are unacceptable and harmful.

In addition, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is exploring the authority granted under a State Plan Amendment to reduce postpartum morbidity and mortality in Michigan through the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” program. Upon the implementation of this program, Michigan would extend the eligibility period of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 365 days, increasing access to health care coverage and ensuring continuity of care during this important period.

I look forward to continuing to advocate for these pieces of legislation so we can get Michigan on track to better supporting our mothers!

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Access to quality childcare is fundamental for working people in Michigan. Good childcare shouldn’t require a full-time job to afford, but costs have been increasing nonetheless, making quality care unattainable for many. Over the course of my term in the state Senate, we have made fundamental changes to the childcare system in Michigan to make it more affordable and to provide a safe learning environment for your child(ren).

Over the past four years, we have:

• Expanded access to free or low-cost childcare to 1 in 3 Michigan kids aged 0 to 12.
• Delivered $1,000 bonuses to nearly 25,000 full-time childcare professionals, which also has the added benefit of boosting local economies.
• Ensured that 100% of eligible 4-year-olds could attend a high-quality preschool under the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
• Invested $565 million to support 7,000 childcare providers with financial relief during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you’re not familiar with it already, the Great Start Readiness Program is the state-funded preschool program for more than 35,000 4-year-olds across Michigan and that helps parents who meet income eligibility requirements. Just last year, we passed the largest education investment in our state’s history, which included an additional $168.5 million for Great Start — setting the program on a historical plan whereby the state will seek to ensure access to another 22,000 additional income-eligible children within the next three years.