District 1 News & Updates

Friends and Neighbors of Senate District 1,

I hope your new year is off to the right start. On January 11, 2023, I was officially sworn in as a member of the 102nd Legislature! I am ready to get to work for all of you.  

#MajorityForThePeople

To contact my office, you can email SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373 -7800. 

Sincerely, 

Erika Geiss
State Senator — District 1
(517) 373-7800

IN THIS EDITION

• Legislative Update 
• Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Initiative expands to include doula services for Medicaid recipients 
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition 
• Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund 
• Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Robin Grant Program   
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship 
• MDHHS invites public input from older adults for new state plan 
• COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Information 
• Community Update 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

Recently, the #Mileg committees were published for the 102nd Legislature and I am thrilled to announce that I am on six Senate standing committees: 

• Transportation and Infrastructure (Chair) 
• Economic and Community Development 
• Education (Vice Chair) 
• Health Policy 
• Housing and Human Services 
• Oversight

HEALTHY MOMS, HEALTHY BABIES INITIATIVE EXPANDS TO INCLUDE DOULA SERVICES FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS

Michigan has become one of the first states to support expecting mothers by covering doula services with Medicaid, so they receive the care they need for a healthy pregnancy and support for interventions that are proven to increase health outcomes for women and their children.

The benefit is part of Governor Whitmer’s Healthy Moms Healthy Babies initiative to help improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The state’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian has issued a standing recommendation that doula services are medically necessary and should be offered to families covered by Medicaid insurance.

The addition of doula services follows the expansion of Medicaid coverage for a full 12-month postpartum period announced in May 2022. Access to high quality health care services is a critical component of statewide efforts in addressing maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Michigan. Maintaining Medicaid coverage for a full year provides access to critical health and dental services during the first year after pregnancy, which can help to address persistent health disparities.

Michigan has made strides in improving maternal and infant health yet continues to suffer from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. Between 2019-2021, infant deaths occurred disproportionately among Michigan’s Black and Native American infants, at rates of 14.1 and 10.5 per 1,000 live births, respectively, compared to a rate of 4.6 per 1,000 births among white infants. Disparate rates of infant death have persisted due to systemic inequities.

In her recommendation, Bagdasarian said, “In an effort to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for individuals covered by Medicaid, and consistent with 42 CFR 440.130(c), I have determined based upon my professional experience and the infant and maternal mortality rates in Michigan, that doula services are medically necessary for all pregnant or postpartum Medicaid recipients. Doula services should be explained and offered to this beneficiary population. I hereby recommend that doula services be offered immediately and on an ongoing basis to Medicaid recipients until such time as determined no longer necessary.”

Doula support may include, but is not limited to:

• Prenatal services, which include:
  • • Honoring personal and cultural childbirth preferences.
    • Supporting health literacy and knowledge.
    • Assisting with the development of a birth plan.
    • Providing emotional support and encouraging self-advocacy.
    • Reinforcing practices known to promote positive outcomes, such as breastfeeding.
    • Identifying and addressing social determinants of health.
    • Coordinating referrals to community-based support services (e.g., WIC, behavioral health services, transportation, home visiting services).
• Labor and delivery services, which include:
  • • Providing continual physical comfort measures, information and emotional support.
    • Advocating for the needs of the birth person.
    • Being an active member of the birth team.
    • Postpartum services, which may include:
    • Sharing education regarding newborn care, nutrition and safety.
    • Supporting breastfeeding.
    • Providing emotional support and encouraging self-care measures.
    • Offering support in attending recommended medical appointments.
    • Identifying and addressing social determinants of health.
    • Coordinating referrals to community-based support services (e.g., WIC, behavioral health services, transportation, home visiting services).
    • Linking families to grief support services, if needed.

For more information, visit the MDHHS website at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

On January 16, 2023 we recognized MLK Day. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s advocacy for civil rights and racial justice continues to impact us today and is worthy of recognition. The best way to honor Dr. King is taking action to promote freedom and justice. May his legacy inspire and influence us all as we continue doing the work.

MICHIGAN HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND 

The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) was established to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship. Visit the MIHAF website to see if you are eligible at www.michigan.gov/mshda/homeownership/mihaf-homeowner-assistance.  

Homeowners applying for the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund program should make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. 

Who Is Eligible? 

• Homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI), 
• Homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence, or 
• Homeowners must have and explain a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 on or after January 21, 2020. 

Eligible households can receive a grant worth up to $25,000 to help them pay the following delinquencies: 

• Mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages, 
• Land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments, 
• Property taxes, 
• Condominium/homeowners’ association fees, 
• Homeowner’s insurance, 
• Utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer, or 
• Internet broadband services.

MICHIGAN HIGH-SPEED INTERNET (MIHI) ROBIN GRANT PROGRAM  

The Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office has opened the application window for the Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant Program to expand high-speed internet access to underserved communities throughout Michigan. All information about the grant program including the application portal, map of likely eligible locations and more are available at www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/mihi/funding-opportunities.  

MICHIGAN ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP 

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship application has opened for all high school seniors!  

This scholarship will provide: 

• Up to $2,750 if you attend a community college, per year 
• Up to $5,500 if you attend a public university, per year 
• Up to $4,000 if you attend a private college or university, per year 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Aging, Community Living and Supports is inviting the public to join community conversations online and throughout the state to discuss the needs of older adults. 

MDHHS is seeking input regarding the needs and gaps in programs and services that affect quality of life for older residents. MDHHS will use information gathered during the community conversations and from survey responses to identify priorities for the department in support of the health and well-being of Michigan’s older adult population. A draft plan goes before the state’s Commission on Services to the Aging for approval before being submitted to the Federal Administration for Community Living by July 1 for implementation during fiscal years 2023-2026. 

State units on aging are tasked under the Older Americans Act with developing and administering a multi-year State Plan on Aging that provides goals and objectives related to assisting older residents, their families and caregivers in their states. The plan serves as a blueprint outlining coordination and advocacy activities to meet the needs of older adults and for building capacity for long-term care efforts in the state. 

Anyone interested in providing information on the needs of older adults is invited to participate in a community conversation or complete a survey. The community conversations will be held during January and February at various locations across the state and in four separate online forums. 

For in-person gatherings, appropriate health and safety precautions will be taken. Survey questionnaires will be available online and in paper form in English, Spanish and Arabic. 

For a current list of community conversation locations, dates, and times, or to access the survey, go to the Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration webpage at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/adults-and-seniors/behavioral-and-physical-health-and-aging-services. This site will also be used to communicate cancellation information and updates. 

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE 

The expiration date of many at-home COVID-19 tests have been extended. Typically, the tests have been extended 3-6 months depending on the manufacturer. Visit the FDA website to see details on your tests by visiting www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests.  

Additionally, be sure to utilize your four free COVID-19 tests (per household) at covid.gov/tests. 

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you have recovered from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 data.

IN-DISTRICT COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINATION SITES  

Testing: Wednesday, 10:00am – 6:00pm  

COMMUNITY UPDATE 

The 2023 Clark Park Winter Carnival is this Saturday, January 21 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1130 Clark Street in Detroit. There will be food, outdoor games, music, and more, followed by the Winter Carnival Hockey Classic, with the Women’s Game at 6 p.m. and the Men’s Game at 7:30 p.m.