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Dear Friends, I hope you’ve all been able to get outside and enjoy the recent warm weather we have been having. As always, it is an honor to serve as your State Senator in Lansing, and I thank you for sharing thoughts and concerns with me. Featured in this newsletter:
As always, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please call my office at (517) 373-2417, or email me at SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov. Be well, |
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June 1 marked the beginning of Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and recognize their strength and ability to live as their authentic selves. This has not always been afforded to them in this country and their access to equal standing under the law is something we must continue to fight for.
JOIN US: MARCH FOR OUR LIVES |
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In my ongoing commitment to preventing gun violence and tragedies, I will be joining our local March for Our Lives chapter on Saturday, June 11 at the Detroit Riverfront at 12 pm to remember those who have lost their lives to gun violence and call for change. >>Click here for more information about the event. I have been, and will continue to be, relentless in my efforts to pass legislation that would help prevent gun violence. Below is a list of bills my colleagues and I have introduced on this matter: |
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I want to hear from you! Please join me at Bowens Senior Center in Pontiac for my next coffee hour. Let me know what issues are important to you and want you want to know about what is happening in Lansing. WHEN: Friday, June 24 at 1 pm >> Click here for more information about the event.
FREE FISHING THIS WEEKEND FOR GREAT LAKES AND FRESH WATER WEEK IN MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation marking June 4-12 as Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week to inspire people to champion the health of our vital ecosystem, and to enjoy, appreciate, and safeguard it for current and future generations. Michigan is home to more than 3,200 miles of coastline along four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes and ponds, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, and enough groundwater to fill Lake Michigan over again. More than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada rely on the Great Lakes for their drinking water. This year’s Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week comes on the heels of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, a broad vision for Michigan’s prosperous clean energy future and economywide carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan calls for protecting state land and water. Among the many ways to participate in Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week:
More details about the week are available on the Office of the Great Lake’s Stewarding the Great Lakes webpage, including links to local events, videos, educational resources on topics such as invasive species identification, proper disposal of old medications, and information on how to volunteer with the Michigan Clean Water Corps.
MDHHS HOSTING THREE VIRTUAL BABY FAIRS FOR NEW OR EXPECTING FAMILIES The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is hosting three virtual baby fairs for new or expecting parents this month free of charge. At the virtual events, families will have an opportunity to learn about available resources, important health and safety information and ask questions directly to program experts. The events are free of charge and occurring on the following dates and times:
Some of the many MDHHS programs participating in these baby fairs will be:
Participants can register for one of these sessions online.
DIFS: MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE CONVERED BY MOST HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers that mental health care services are covered by many health insurance plans, enabling Michiganders to get the help, support, and care they need. Michiganders are encouraged to check with their health insurer to confirm that they have coverage for mental health services and to make sure they understand their out-of-pocket expenses before seeking the mental health care they need. Mental health and substance use disorder coverage offered by a health plan must be similar to coverage provided for medical surgical services. Out-of-Pocket expenses, such as copays, and prior authorization requirements must also be similar to those for medical surgical services. DIFS stands ready to help Michiganders get the most out of their health insurance and reduce barriers that may discourage them from seeking mental health care. If consumers have concerns about mental health-related insurance claims that cannot be resolved directly with the insurer, contact DIFS by calling 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by filing a complaint at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints. DIFS can help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints and can provide information about the Special Enrollment Period that is currently open for households with incomes lower than 150% of the federal poverty level. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.
MICHIGAN IS A TOP STATE FOR SMALL BUSINESS REVENUE GROWTH Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted new small business data indicating Michigan’s continued economic growth. According to Opportunity Insight’s Track the Recovery, January 2022 saw small business revenue in Michigan increase by 24% compared to January 2020, while the nation experienced a 6.9% increase over the same period. According to the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Michigan ranks tenth in small business revenue growth over the last two years. This latest positive data closely follows the recent announcement that Michigan had the fastest small business job growth in 23 years and that 150,000 new small business applications were filed in 2021 — 59% more than in 2019. Further, the governor’s MI New Economy plan is setting a bold goal for Michigan’s small businesses to build on this momentum and have Top 10 growth during the next five years. The initiative is a $2.1 billion proposal to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities.
MDHHS AWARDS $300,000 TO EXPAND, IMPROVE SICKLE CELL CLINICS The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced the awardees of the Sickle Cell Clinic Expansion and Enhancement Program grants. The purpose of the program is to offer new resources to providers that help increase patient access to quality multidisciplinary health care and improve care coordination, as well as establish preferred provider networks that focus on sickle cell disease. The three awardees, with each receiving $100,000, are: Henry Ford Health, which will focus on assuring a smooth transition of sickle cell disease patients from pediatric to adult care, as well as to improve access to other specialty and treatment management services, such as orthopedics, pain management and allied services. Michigan State University, which will work to establish a lifespan sickle cell center in Lansing within its Inherited Blood Disorder Service. This clinic will be staffed by a multi-disciplinary team and be available to both pediatric and adult sickle cell disease patients. University of Michigan, which will work to ensure health care providers follow national guidelines and patients and caregivers practice preventative care, including keeping appointments and following disease-altering treatments and medication recommendations. The clinic award period ends Sept. 30, 2022. Successful applicants may be awarded annual funding through Sept. 30, 2024, depending on funding availability and performance. Funding for the new clinic programs was included in the fiscal year 2022 budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as part of the expansion of the Children’s Special Health Care Services program to cover adults with sickle cell disease. Those seeking more information on the new clinic services can email genetics@michigan.gov. For more information about the Children’s Special Health Care Services program or its enrollment process, contact your local health department or call the Children’s Special Health Care Services Family Phone line, 1-800-359-3722.
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