Lowering Prescription Drug Costs and Other Updates

Oct 20, 2023 | Email

Dear Neighbors, 

Fall is in full swing here in Michigan and I hope you have the chance to enjoy all the lovely fall activities Michigan has to offer! In Lansing, my Democratic colleagues and I have been busy working on legislation in the Senate that tackles the issues and concerns that matter most to the people of Michigan.

As we continue to work through our agenda — to deliver real, tangible results for Michiganders — I hope to provide an update on some of the important legislation we’re working on as well as additional information and resources you may find useful. As always, my office is here to assist you! If you have questions or need assistance, you can email my office at SenMMcMorrow@senate.michigan.gov or call (517)373-2523. 

In service, 

Mallory McMorrow
State Senator
District 8

 

Featured in this Newsletter

  • Legislative Updates
  • Community Updates and Resources
 

 

Legislative Updates

What a Difference a Week Makes 

In a single week, our #MajorityForThePeople took steps to address several pressing issues facing Michiganders. Here’s a quick recap:

Passed

  • Senate Bills 471, 472 and 528 to keep guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers and protect survivors from further abuse.
  • Senate Bills 205–207 to prohibit housing discrimination based on source of income.
  • Senate Bills 418, 425, 426, 428 and 429 to reform Michigan’s juvenile justice system — emphasizing rehabilitation and eliminating most fees for families.
  • Senate Bill 464 to bring back specialty legacy license plates and generate revenue to repair Michigan roads.
  • Senate Bills 530, 531 and 575 to strengthen Michigan’s 2019 auto no-fault policy reform and improve access to care for Michigan drivers.

Heard Testimony On

  • Senate Bills 474–477 to establish the Reproductive Health Act, building on the repeal of Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban and reducing barriers for those seeking reproductive healthcare.
  • Senate Bills 559–562, 569 and 579–581 to transform Michigan’s approach to economic development, job creation and community support.

 

Protecting Survivors of Domestic Violence from Further Abuse

Domestic violence is a crisis facing women and families across Michigan and the United States. The issue of domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, as more abusers are choosing firearms as their weapon of choice. Currently, under state law, individuals convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence are not barred from possessing or carrying a firearm for any amount of time. To close this dangerous loophole, Sen. Stephanie Chang and Sen. Sue Shink introduced Senate Bills 471, 472 and 528.

On October 11, the Senate voted in a bipartisan manner to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers, bringing Michigan one step closer to joining the majority of states who have enhanced protections for survivors of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Senate Democrats Take Steps to Improve Access to Care for Michigan Drivers
We all want to do what we can to help Michiganders save money and lower costs for people, including the cost of auto insurance. But that shouldn’t be done at the expense of people who have been severely injured and permanently disabled by an auto accident.

 

With the previous changes to our state’s auto insurance system, we’ve now had several years to reevaluate some of the intended consequences — and address some of the unintended ones. This week, Senate Democrats passed Senate Bills 530 and 531 to improve access to care for injured drivers.

Read more about these bills here.

Expanding Opportunities for Clean, Renewable Energy
The use of solar energy as a power source, particularly on farmlands, is becoming increasingly popular across the United States. Through legislative efforts, Michigan is shaping up to be a leader in promoting cost-effective clean energy practices.

Recently, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 277, which allows farmers to rent land for solar operations while maintaining the preservation of farmland enrolled in the PA 116 program. Garnering widespread, bipartisan support from various agricultural, economic and environmental organizations — this pro-farmer, pro-property rights and pro-environment legislation will help farmers to diversify revenue sources, while moving our state towards a clean energy future. The bill awaits further action in the Michigan House. Read more here.

 

Community Update and Resources

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed to honor those impacted by breast cancer and spread awareness surrounding it. In our state, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Michigan women. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimated that Michigan would have had 8,900 new cases of breast cancer and 1,390 deaths from breast cancer in 2022.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges Michiganders to put their health needs first through the following free health screening programs:

To learn more about Michigan’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program and the WISEWOMAN Program, call 844-446-8727 or visit Michigan.gov/cancer. For Spanish resources, call 800-379-1057.

Transformational State Budget Takes Effect as New Fiscal Year Begins
October 1 marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for the state of Michigan — the day when the historic state budget the Michigan Senate passed on June 28 took effect.

Totaling $81.7 billion, the budget is full of transformative, innovative and equitable investments that will improve the lives of Michiganders. Read more about the state budget and its impact here.

Michigan Reconnect Applications Open for Expanded Age Group

Previously limited to individuals aged 25 and older, Michigan Reconnect has expanded its eligibility to include adults between the ages of 21 and 24 who have not yet obtained a college degree. The Reconnect program allows eligible students to pursue an associate degree or Pell-eligible skills certificate at in-district community colleges without the burden of tuition fees.

Applicants ages 21 to 24 must enroll no later than the fall semester of 2024. Students in the 21-24 age bracket must also apply for Reconnect before the application closes on November 15, 2024.

To be eligible, you just need to:

  • Be at least 21 years of age;
  • Apply and enroll in a community or tribal college no later than fall semester 2024;
  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid);
  • Have lived in Michigan for at least a year;
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent or certificate of completion; and
  • Have not yet completed a college degree.

Don’t wait, apply today!

Public Comment Needed: Federal Funding Available for High-Speed Internet Access Expansion
The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is now accepting public comment on Volume 1 of Michigan’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal. Michigan has received $1.559 billion in funding from the BEAD Act to expand access to high-speed internet service to more communities.

As of 2023, close to 500,000 Michigan households are unserved or underserved by high-speed internet infrastructure and another 730,000 households face barriers related to a combination of affordability, adoption, device access and digital literacy.

Therefore, public comments will be incredibly useful in helping to draft MIHI’s proposal and determine how the state of Michigan will utilize the historic funding. Public comment on Volume 1 of the BEAD Initial Proposal is open now through 11:59 p.m. on October 31.

To submit a comment via form, click here.

MI Healthy Climate Corps to Launch in January 2024
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has announced that the MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHCC) program will start in January 2024. MHCC will field a cohort of 30 federal AmeriCorps members who will provide vital support for climate action across Michigan. Corps members will receive training and career development support to bolster Michigan’s climate leadership pool.

Interested in being a candidate or a host community? Fill out this form to keep connected on program updates and launch information.

Take Steps to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
As the fall season begins, immunizations and testing continue to be critical tools in managing the spread of COVID-19. To help keep yourself and your community healthy, I encourage you to take advantage of the free vaccine and testing options available to you.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against New Variants
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends all Michiganders 6 months and older receive the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine which is designed to provide protection against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants.

Most Michigan residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Michigan residents who don’t have health insurance or have health plans that do not cover the cost can reach out to a health care provider or local pharmacy participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, their health department or visit Vaccines.gov for additional information on ways to obtain a free vaccine.

For more information, click here.

Testing Options: At-Home and In-Person
As of September 25, 2023, all U.S. residents are able to go to COVIDTests.govand sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here for a list of participating libraries.

For Michiganders who are thinking about plans for in-person testing, Michigan.gov/COVIDTest remains in place to assist in locating a testing site.

Resources for Michiganders Potentially Affected by the UAW Strike
For those who may be potentially impacted by the UAW strike, it is important to be prepared as the negotiations continue.

In light of the recent events, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has offered their assistance to all affected state business owners and workers — including the following resources:

To connect with your local Michigan Works! service center for career services, call (800) 285-WORKS (9675) or visit Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.

For additional assistance, workers can schedule appointments at Michigan.gov/UIA or call Customer Service at (866) 500-0017