Dear Neighbor,
Spring is well underway now, and I hope you’ve taken some time to enjoy Michigan’s warmer weather and brighter blue skies. Our state has much to offer during spring, from the beautiful blooms at the Holland Tulip Time Festival to the fun of America’s national pastime at Comerica Park.
While spring is certainly bringing some much-needed joy after a long winter, just know that you are not alone if you’re feeling confused or anxious about the chaos that continues to unfold in our federal government. We’re all in this together, and we’ll continue to support one another in these trying and unprecedented times.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at SenJCherry@senate.michigan.gov or call 517- 373-0142.
Sincerely,
John D. Cherry
State Senator
District 27
- I invite you to join me on Thursday, May 15, for “Canvas of Change,” for a panel discussion on youth health and wellness hosted by Genesee County Prevention Coalition. The event will be held at The River Church, 9430 Perry Road, in Goodrich, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/0ibBgdyVv6
- Last week, the Senate passed our legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) with bipartisan support. These bills work to lower the high cost of medications, protect Michigan consumers, and increase accountability and transparency in the prescription drug industry. Read on to learn more.
- As gun violence continues to devastate schools, families, and communities across the state and country, Senate Democrats took action to pass gun safety legislation and prevent further tragedy. Over a year since these changes went into effect, and during Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m grateful to highlight that recent data demonstrates this legislation is fulfilling its intended purpose — saving lives.
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with Action
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote understanding and compassion for folks struggling with their mental health. My Senate colleagues and I have worked hard to help address the mental health crisis here in Michigan by:
- Expanding access to mental health care coverage – Last spring, Senate Bill 27, championed by Sen. Sarah Anthony, was signed into law, requiring insurance companies to cover treatments for mental health and substance use disorders at the same level as physical health services.
- Preventing suicide through commonsense gun safety legislation – Firearms account for over half of all suicide deaths, and 90% of suicide attempts with firearms are successful. That’s why my colleagues and I passed an 11-bill gun violence prevention package in 2023, including a “red flag” law that helps temporarily remove firearms from the homes of people who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. In the first year since this law took effect, 30% of the Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) filed mentioned threats of self-harm or suicide.
- Investing in mental health care and suicide prevention – The state budget is an impactful tool lawmakers use to uplift and support the mental health needs of our communities. In the 2025 budget, we secured:
- $48.2 million to support substance use disorder treatment and prevention efforts;
- $30 million to increase access to 24-hour crisis services, outpatient behavioral health care, and psychiatric rehabilitation;
- $9.4 million to provide statewide coverage for 988, the suicide and mental health crisis line;
- $1.2 million to support suicide prevention programs for veterans and their families;
- $750,000 to provide resources for community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans, service members, and their families; and
- $250,000 to support Six Feet Over’s suicide loss survivor program, a nonprofit that provides mental health education and support to individuals with lived experiences of suicide.
Michigan Senate Advances Bills to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Michiganders
While the pharmaceutical industry raked in over $29 billion in net profits during a recent three-month period, nearly a third of Michigan residents stopped taking their prescriptions because of cost and 60% of older adults reported concerns over not being able to afford their essential medications. This is unacceptable.
To ensure all Michiganders, no matter their age, income, or background, have access to affordable, life-saving medication, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I passed legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Michigan (PDAB) — an independent body designed to lower prescription drug costs and hold Big Pharma accountable. Made up of experts in health care, economics, and supply chain management, the PDAB would be responsible for analyzing and recommending ways to lower drug costs in Michigan. The PDAB would also set upper payment limits — maximum amounts that can be charged for prescription drugs — on medications sold in the state.
This legislative package, Senate Bills 3–5, now heads to the House for consideration. Learn more here.
Canvas of Change Youth Health and Wellness Panel
I invite you to join me on Thursday, May 15, for “Canvas of Change,” for a panel discussion on youth health and wellness hosted by Genesee County Prevention Coalition.
WHERE: The River Church, 9430 Perry Road, Goodrich, MI 48438
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/0ibBgdyVv6
Preventing Gun Violence in Michigan
Michiganders take a stand against gun violence on Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 22.
From our schools to our stores and even within our homes, gun violence has devastated far too many lives across our state and country. Here in Michigan, death due to gun violence has increased by 25% from 2014, leaving behind an irrevocable toll on families and communities.
That’s why my Senate Democratic colleagues and I acted quickly to secure budget investments and pass commonsense gun safety legislation to address this growing crisis. In effect since February of last year, we passed new laws to strengthen background checks for firearm purchases, require the safe storage of firearms around kids, and allow courts to issue ERPOs to temporarily intervene and suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence.
In recognition of Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day last month (April 22), I want to highlight data released earlier this year points not only to the need for the ERPO law here in Michigan, but also its effectiveness in intervening before tragedy occurs. In the first year since the law went into effect, 391 ERPO complaints were filed. Among those ERPOs filed, 30% mentioned current or past threats of self-harm or suicide. What this report demonstrates is that Michigan’s new gun safety legislation is fulfilling its intended purpose — saving lives.
- For more information on Michigan’s safe storage law, click here.
- For information about the ERPO petition process in Michigan, click here.
- To obtain a free gun lock, visit a Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services office to request one, or you can check with your local health department or Project ChildSafe police partner.