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Friends, I hope you and your family are happy and healthy this holiday season. As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state senator in Lansing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me, and I look forward to seeing you around the community. Featured in this newsletter:
You are central to my goal as a legislator! 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. |
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Rosemary Bayer
MICHIGAN RECOGNIZEWS NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK
This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week — a great time to remind folks that it’s never too late to get your flu vaccine. Already, we are seeing early season elevated flu activity nationally, with 35 states reporting high or very high activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 deaths from flu. Its latest report indicated that a total of 14 pediatric flu deaths have also been reported. In Michigan, flu activity is steadily increasing in Michigan and positive flu cases have been reported in the central, southwestern and southeastern regions across the state. The early surge of flu activity is occurring along with significant activity of another respiratory virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). While there is no current vaccine specifically for RSV, the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help protect against respiratory illnesses and they can be given at the same visit. The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older with rare exceptions. For those younger than age 65, the CDC does not recommend any flu vaccine over another so options for this age group include the inactivated, recombinant, or the live-attenuated flu vaccines. Finally, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding Michigander
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES HOSTS HEALTH INSURANCE TOWN HALL SERIES Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox has announced a new series of virtual health insurance town halls to help inform Michiganders about new health plan options, newly extended savings, and increased opportunities for free local enrollment help during the current Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period. Michiganders have until Jan. 15, 2023, to purchase affordable, high quality health insurance for 2023, and newly extended subsidies will help many Michiganders find a plan for as little as $10 per month. The town hall series expects to give consumers the information they need to sign up for a plan and what to look for when shopping on HealthCare.gov. With savings still in effect making health insurance more affordable for more Michiganders, new grants for free local help, and more plan options than last year, buying a health insurance plan that works for Michigan families has never been easier. The remaining town halls are scheduled to take place on:
Pre-registration for the online-only town halls is not required. To attend a virtual town hall event, click the event link at its meeting start time. For more information about the town hall series or for questions about health insurance, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 877-999-6442.
NEW YEAR. NEW DISTRICT. This past year, the Independent Redistricting Commission created new Congressional, State Senate, and House districts. As a result, after the first of the year, I will be representing Michigan’s 13th Senate District, which includes parts of Farmington Hills, Novi, and Commerce Twp. and all of West Bloomfield Twp., Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Walled Lake, Novi Twp., Northville, Northville Twp., Plymouth, and Plymouth Twp. It has been an honor and privilege to serve many of you these past four years. I look forward to making many new friends in the 13th District and listening to their thoughts and ideas on making Michigan a better place to live, work, and raise a family. |
