Dear Neighbor,
From Marquette to the Motor City, Michigan seniors contribute to the vitality of this state in invaluable ways. For decades, they have brought families to our neighborhoods, business to our storefronts and talent to our workforce. As the very lifeblood of our state, seniors deserve our utmost care and respect. Those are words that my colleagues and I at the Michigan Senate not only believe; they are words we act on.
As your State Senator, it is my honor to serve and advocate for you at the Capitol, ensuring access to the resources you need to live with confidence and comfort. Read on to learn about exciting legislation we have recently advanced in the Legislature, and some helpful resources to address any barriers you may face. If you ever need assistance navigating any of these changes with our state government, or would like to share feedback andsuggestions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
In service,
Mary Cavanagh
State Senator
District 6
Repealing the Retirement Tax, Lowering Costs for Seniors
Last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Senate Democrats were instrumental in passing the Lowering MI Costs Plan, one of the biggest tax relief initiatives this state has seen in decades. This plan overhauls the unfair and unpopular retirement tax, expands the Working Families Tax Credit and makes significant investments in housing and community redevelopment.
By expanding the Working Families Tax Credit to 30% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, 700,000 Michiganders — those who have the hardest time affording the basics — will see an average of $3,150 back in their pockets. Repealing the retirement tax that unfairly burdened retirees
will ultimately put an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of 500,000 Michigan households. The Lowering MI Costs Plan also invests $50 million of surplus revenue into the state’s Housing and Community Development Fund — which prioritizes projects offering veterans, seniors, people with disabilities and working families safe and affordable places to call home. Learn more at Michigan.gov/taxes.
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Last year, the Michigan Senate Democrats passed Senate Bills 483-485 Budget Funding for Seniors Setting the state budget year after year is an opportunity to show Michiganders who and what we value through the allocation of financial resources. In addition to the exciting legislative wins passed last year, the Michigan Legislature made significant investments in our senior community through the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
In 2020, while the costs of many goods were rising, the prices of over 500 commonly used prescription drugs in Michigan increased at a rate 2x that of inflation. Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to alleviating theburden of prescription drug costs on Michigan residents and employers — and we are taking meaningful action to combat this persistent problem.
This bill package has passed the Michigan Senate and has been referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Financial Services to await further action.
Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Our veteran community has selflessly served our nation, sacrificed their time and even risked their health and safety to protect our freedoms. As our veteran community ages, property taxes can become burdensome and make property ownership difficult to maintain.
That’s why last year, I led the charge in passing a bipartisan Senate bill package (Senate Bills 176, 330 & 364) to amend the General Property Tax Act to take the burden off our veterans by changing from an annual property tax exemption filing to a one-time filing and extending the benefit to a veteran’s surviving spouse. I am deeply proud to have passed this package into law for Michigan’s veterans and their families.
Budget Funding for Seniors
Setting the state budget year after year is an opportunity to show Michiganders who and what we value through the allocation of financial resources. In addition to the exciting legislative wins passed last year, the Michigan Legislature made significant investments in our senior community through the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
Some of those investments include:
- Investments in affordable senior housing, eviction diversion, and homelessness prevention to keep Michiganders in their homes
- Increased funding for nutrition access, including Elder Law of Michigan’s Food for the Elderly (MiCAFE) program and food desert prevention
- Wage increases for direct care workers providing skilled care for our loved ones
- Grants for water affordability programs and shutoff prevention
- Medicaid rate increases for many top billing codes, private duty nursing, orthopedic providers, speech therapy, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and more
- Increased funding for Michigan’s Long Term Care Ombudsman’s community services division
- Infrastructure funding for senior center upgrades in communities across Michigan
The Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are warning seniors to protect themselves and their personal information from potential scams and high-pressure sales tactics. Here are 5 important tips for protecting yourself:
- Never give your Medicare number or other personal information to an unknown caller. You are always able to get information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. The only time the Medicare ID number is required is when you are actively enrolling in a plan.
- Do not give out your personal information if someone calls or visits your home and says they’re from Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home to ask for personal information or check your Medicare number.
- Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate business or government agency.
- Ignore anyone who calls saying you must join their prescription drug plan, or you will lose your Medicare coverage. While it is true that there may be a penalty if you delay enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D), that coverage is voluntary.
The Attorney General’s alert also reminds consumers that government agencies will not:
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Promise to increase benefits or fix an issue if a fee is paid
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Threaten arrest or legal action unless money is sent immediately
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Demand payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or cash sent by mail
If you have questions or concerns about your Medicare coverage, DIFS and MDHHS urge you to contact Medicare directly at
Medicare.gov or by calling (800) 633-4227.
If you or a loved one has experienced this type of scam or high-pressure tactic, contact DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or call (877) 999-6442 to file a complaint.
To file a complaint with the Attorney General,
contact the Consumer Protection Team
at (517) 335-7599 or toll-free at
(877) 765-8388. You can also file online at secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx.
Drug Immunity
Last year, Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 410 into law with overwhelming bipartisan support, repealing Michigan’s law that limited drug manufacturers’ liability for medicine that has harmed or killed Michigan residents. Before Senate Bill 410, Michigan was the only state with a law that provided drug manufacturers broad immunity for product liability, shielding big pharmaceutical companies and preventing Michigan’s residents and Attorney General from filing complaints or joining class action lawsuits to recoup damages against companies. I proudly cosponsored this important legislation that will now allow families to seek justice for loved ones harmed by faulty prescriptions.
ELDER ABUSE: See It, Document It, Report It
In Michigan, more than 73,000 older adults have been victims of abuse — and many more are targets. Seniors are often vulnerable to abuse, neglect or exploitation, and much of it is unreported or underreported.
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Take photographs and written notes on what you observed, when you observed it and who was present, along with any other helpful information.
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Immediately report incidents to the nursing home or healthcare facility administrator, if applicable.
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Report the abuse to the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 242-2873 and to the Michigan Dept. of Health & Human Services Adult Protective Services at (855) 444-3911.
Wayne County Senior Services
(800) 851-1454 seniornutrition@waynecounty.com
If you’re looking for information on senior services available in Wayne County, be sure to check out the seniors section of their website at waynecounty.com/departments/seniorservices. Their online resources offer helpful information, including resources about aging well, volunteering, donations, meals, legal issues and local services.
Useful Senior Service Numbers
“Help is just a phone call away. Save these useful numbers in case you need assistance.” — Sen. Cavanagh
Adult Protective Services, for reports of suspected abuse and neglect……………..(855) 444-3911
Ageways Nonprofit Senior Services……………………………………………………………(248) 357-2255 Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, for cases of identity theft……….(877) 765-8388
Attorney General, Office of Elder Abuse ……………………………………………………… (800) 242-2873
Bridge Card (EBT) – Customer Service……………………………………………………….(888) 678-8914
COVID-19 Hotline……………………………………………………………………………………(888) 535-6136
Disability Ombudsman…………………………………………………………………………….(800) 288-5923
Domestic Violence Hotline………………………………………………………………………..(800) 799-7233
Elder Care Services…………………………………………………………………………………(800) 677-1116
Elder Law of Michigan, Inc……………………………………………………………………….(866) 400-9164
Energy Assistance……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2-1-1
Benificiary Help Line for both Medicare & Medicaid ……………………………………..(800) 642-3195
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)………………………………………….(800) 803-7174
Medicare, includes Part D for pharmacy……………………………………………………..(800) 633-4227
MI Enrolls – Medicaid Managed Care…………………………………………………………(888) 367-6557
Michigan Dept. of Health & Human Services, Medicaid Beneficiary Support ……..(800) 642-3195
Michigan Stroke Network…………………………………………………………………………(866) 522-8676
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency………………………………………………………………(800) 642-4838
MI Bridges Help Desk………………………………………………………………………………(844) 799-9876
Michigan Stay Well Counselors ……………………………………………………………………………… 9-8-8
Nursing Home Complaints ……………………………………………………………………….(800) 882-6006
Relay Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ………………………………………………………………. 7-1-1
Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention………………………………………………………………(517) 372-6666
Social Security Administration…………………………………………………………………..(800) 772-1213
Substance Abuse Hotline …………………………………………………………………………(800) 662-4357
Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline……………………………………………………………….(800) 273-8255
TAX statements for Adult Home Help………………………………………………………….(800) 292-2550
THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund ……………………………………………….(800) 866-THAW (8429)