NOTE FROM ERIKA
Greetings friends and neighbors!
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and warm weather! I want to wish everyone a reflective Memorial Day as we acknowledge and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country as well as all of our deceased veterans. During the long holiday weekend, please be safe as you kick off the unofficial start of the summer season.
Sincerely,
Erika Geiss
State Senator – 1st District
517.373.7800
IN THIS EDITION:
- Helping Medicaid Members Keep their Coverage
- Legislative Updates
- Senate Bill 147: Signed by Governor Whitmer
- Senate Bill 90: CROWN Act passed the Senate
- Senate Bill 50: Juneteenth Recognized as State Holiday Passed the Senate
- Senate Bill 83: Signed by Governor Whitmer
- End of Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Brings Changes to Insurance Coverage for Michiganders
- Summer 2023 Job Market Forecast for Michigan Teens (Ages 16-19)
- Community Updates and Events
- Memorial Day in the D
- Movement Fest Electronic Music Festival
- Detroit Grand Prix
- Road to Restoration in Detroit, MI
- Gordie Howe Bridge Updates
HELPING MEDICAID MEMBERS KEEP THEIR COVERAGE
Take action to avoid a gap in coverage
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE), allowing Medicaid members to keep their health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, eligibility renewals will start again in June. MDHHS began sending monthly renewal notifications to enrollees by mail beginning in May.
Following these steps will help determine if you still qualify:
- Make sure your contact information is up to date.
- Check mail or text messages for a letter.
- Complete your renewal form (if you get one).
If you’re a Medicaid member, learn more about how these changes may affect your health care coverage at Michigan.gov/2023benefitchanges.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senate Bill 147 Signed Into Law by Governor Whitmer
My bill, Senate Bill 147, was signed into law by Governor Whitmer on May 17, 2023. This bill amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to ensure the protection of civil rights for people who have abortions from employer discrimination or retaliation. Abortion is healthcare and nobody should be discriminated against because of their personal healthcare decisions.
Senate Bill 90, the CROWN Act Passed in the Michigan Senate
Senate Bill 90, introduced by Senator Anthony, passed in the Michigan Senate on May 23, 2023. The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act protects Black Michiganders against hair discrimination. Hair-based discrimination is among the forms of structural racism that many Black people have faced. Only recently have we acknowledged racism as a public health crisis and simultaneously we’ve turned keen attention towards improving mental health. Taking this vote during Mental Health Awareness Month is significant because the CROWN Act is not only a matter of racial justice, it’s a matter of protecting and preserving Black mental health. Passing this bill was the next step in making Senate Bill 90 among our crowning achievements.
Senate Bill 50 Passes in the Senate to Recognize Juneteenth as a State Holiday
Senate Bill 50, introduced by Senator Santana, passed almost unanimously in the Michigan Senate to recognize Juneteenth, June 19th, as an official state holiday in Michigan. Juneteenth is a celebration of when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that people who were enslaved were now free. I was proud to co-sponsor this bill to recognize a second Independence Day in our state.
Senate Bill 83 Signed Into Law by Governor Whitmer
Senate Bill 83, and two other extreme risk protection order bills (ERPO) were signed into law by Governor Whitmer on May 22, 2023. This bill, also referred to as “red flag laws,” or “ERPO,” will allow law enforcement, family, health care providers, and others to temporarily remove guns from someone that a judge determines are an imminent threat to themselves or others. This is a step in the right direction to save lives and reduce gun violence in our state, however, there is still much more work to be done.
END OF FEDERAL COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY BRINGS CHANGES TO INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MICHIGANDERS
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is alerting consumers that there may be changes to their health insurance coverage for COVID-related testing and treatments now that the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has ended.
Federal law required that many health services related to COVID-19, including testing and vaccinations, had to be covered at no cost for the duration of the PHE. Many Michiganders may now have to pay out-of- pocket for some COVID-related care. For more specific information about different types of medical care that have been affected by the ending of the PHE, see below:
At-Home and Laboratory COVID Tests:
- Private Insurers: The federal mandate requiring health insurers to provide no-cost coverage for COVID-19 testing, including at-home tests, has ended. Most people with health insurance will continue to have coverage for laboratory COVID-19 tests, subject to the plan’s cost sharing. At-home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). Michiganders should check with their plan for more details.
- Medicare: Medicare is no longer required to provide coverage for at-home COVID-19 testing. Medicare Part B participants can still obtain laboratory COVID-19 testing, with authorization by a medical provider, without out-of-pocket cost. Medicare Advantage participants may have additional flexibility regarding COVID-19 testing. Michiganders should check with their plan for more details.
Medicaid: Under federal law, Medicaid and MIChild participants can obtain at-home and laboratory COVID-19 tests through September 30, 2024.
COVID-19 Treatments:
- Private insurers: Treatment for COVID-19 will continue to be covered but insurers are now able to apply cost sharing, such as deductibles and coinsurance, and require prior approval for these treatments. Michiganders should confirm coverage with their insurer or plan before seeking treatment.
- Medicare: Medicare beneficiaries may have to pay for a portion of their COVID-19 care as required by their plan.
- Medicaid: Medicaid and MIChild are required to cover all drugs for the treatment or prevention of COVID–19 with no cost sharing for enrollees through September 30, 2024.
- COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be supplied with no out-of-pocket cost by the federal government.
COMMUNITY UPDATE & EVENTS
On Saturday, May 27, 2023, the city of Detroit is hosting “Memorial Day in the D” to celebrate the commitment of members in our country’s military services and those who have lost their lives while defending their country.
Movement Fest Electronic Music Festival
The Movement Festival originally started as the “Detroit Electronic Music Festival” back in 2000. It’s back this weekend, May 27, 2023 at Hart Plaza in Detroit. You can find more information and tickets here.
Detroit Grand Prix
The Detroit Grand Prix is approaching, the first week of June, when the event returns to its home on the streets of Downtown Detroit. From June 2-4, 2023, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear will bring a dynamic street-festival atmosphere to the Motor City. The new Grand Prix will feature three full days of activities and celebrations on some of Detroit’s most popular and active Downtown areas, including racing on a new 1.7-mile, 10-turn street circuit along Jefferson Avenue, Bates Street, Atwater Street, St. Antoine, Franklin Street and Rivard. Grand Prix visitors will be able to enjoy complimentary access to the main fan activation areas at the event, including Spirit Plaza, Hart Plaza as well as the Riverwalk. Fans will be welcomed in these key areas that will feature live music, food, games and displays all weekend long, without the purchase of a Grand Prix ticket.
For more information visit the Grand Prix Event Website.
Road to Restoration
Mark your calendars! There is a Road to Restoration Clinic approaching on June 21, 2023 in Detroit.
Road to Restoration is a free clinic to assist Michigan residents in understanding how to restore their driving privileges. Residents who attend will meet one-on-one with Michigan Department of State staff and talk with volunteer attorneys to determine the steps necessary to reinstate their driver’s license. Registration is recommended but not required.
WHERE: Goodwill Industry of Detroit, 3111 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI
WHEN: Monday June, 19, 2023, Clinic hours: 10 AM – 6 PM, Walk-in Hours: 11 AM – 4 PM
For more information including clinic details, registration, what items to bring, and how the clinic can help visit the Michigan Road to Restoration Website.
Gordie Howe Bridge Updates
Please note the new traffic alerts and road closures below.
- The left lane of northbound I-75 Service Drive will remain closed between Wilde Street and Rademacher Street.
- All lanes of northbound I-75 Service Drive will remain closed between Wilde Street and Rademacher Street from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily as needed.
*The existing closures on northbound I-75 Service Drive will remain in place until further notice.
For more information about active road closures, I encourage you to visit the project website.
Additionally, check out this new time lapse video of construction from December 2022 to March 2023. Enjoy watching the progress sped up!