An update regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19):  
  
Today, the Michigan Senate adopted my resolution, Senate Resolution 107, which urges the federal government to fund the medical costs associated with testing and mandatory hospital stays for COVID-19.  
  
Being prepared is critical to controlling the spread of COVID-19 and keeping all our residents safe. Viruses do not discriminate between those with health insurance and those without, and we need to ensure everyone has access to testing and care for themselves and their families in order to contain the possible spread to their community at-large. 

While the federal government and the state of Michigan have already taken steps to ensure that all those with Medicare and Medicaid are guaranteed to have their fees associated with COVID-19 covered, we should go a step further and ensure all residents can be a part of the solution to proactively stop the spread of this deadly virus.  
  
MICHIGAN RESPONSE  
Gov. Whitmer has announced the Michigan Medicaid Program will waive copays and cost-sharing for testing and health care treatment related COVID-19, and she has created several task forces across key governmental departments to deal with this growing concern.  
  
For the latest information and updates, please visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.  
  
Be sure to check with your insurance as a number of insurers — including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network of Michigan, Priority Health, CVS Health, McLaren, and Meridian — have also announced they will fully cover the cost of medically necessary COVID-19 tests for members.  
  
CONTACT MY OFFICE  
Questions? Feel free to contact my office by calling (517) 373-2523, toll-free at (855) DIST013 (855-347-8013), or simply reply to this email.