Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having this week. This week your state legislature returned to session and is gearing up to begin negotiating next year’s state budget. As always, I remain committed to advocating for funding in the areas our community needs it most.
Featured in this newsletter:
- 100 Days of Action
- April 2023 is Arab American Heritage and Chaldean-American Month
- Community Update
- Native Plant Month
- Helping Medicaid members keep their coverage
- Changing Health Insurance can impact Auto Insurance
- Gear up for spring fishing by getting your 2023 Fishing License
Should you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-7350 or by email at SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov.
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
100 Days of Action
The first 100 days of working in this new majority have been full of major successes that protect, advocate, and uplift Michiganders! Our #MajorityForThePeople has wasted no time making progress on 40 years of pent-up policy ideas that will lift people up, protect freedoms, and save lives.
From securing protections for LGBTQ Michiganders to passing gun violence prevention measures to restoring workers’ rights, we have prioritized safety at school, at work, and in our communities in our first 100 days – and we’re just getting started.
April 2023 is Arab American Heritage and Chaldean-American Month
The month of April celebrates Arab American Heritage and Chaldean-American Month to commemorate the valuable contributions that Middle Eastern Americans have made to virtually every aspect of American society in medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, culture, and more. Middle Eastern Americans have also enriched our society by sharing in the entrepreneurial American spirit that makes our nation free and prosperous.
The Chaldean Assyrian Syriac community enriches Michigan’s cultural tapestry and prosperity through their success in the arts, business, law, politics, education, medicine, architecture, and engineering. Michigan is home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the U.S., as well as the largest concentration of Chaldean Assyrian Syriacs in the country.
Community Update
Thank you to City of Inkster – City Hall, Mayor Wimberly, City Council members and residents who came out to celebrate the $1.2 million my office secured to make this old library into a modern and vibrant Inkster Cultural Arts Center. Can’t wait for the ribbon cutting!
Native Plant Month
As we roll into spring and notice beautiful colors returning to our surroundings, we also celebrate April as Native Plant Month. Michigan is home to more than 1,800 native plant species which include large shade trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, and everyone’s favorite spring flower, the orange traffic cone. To protect our environment—including our native plants—record investments have been made in conservation and natural resources through the Building Michigan Together Plan and the MI Healthy Climate Plan. Let’s keep working together to preserve our green spaces.
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. Monthly renewal notifications will be sent 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.
Changing Health Insurance can impact Auto Insurance
Your auto insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind if you lose or change your health insurance, but there is an important connection that every Michigander should know about.
Under Michigan’s auto insurance law, drivers can choose from six different Personal Injury Protection (PIP) medical coverage levels when they buy or renew their auto insurance, which covers medical bills and other expenses if you are injured in an auto accident. For people who have Qualified Health Coverage (QHC), two options allow you to remove PIP medical coverage for yourself and/or eligible household members.
To count as QHC, your health insurance policy must not exclude or limit coverage for auto accident injuries and must have an individual deductible of $6,000 or less. Medicare Parts A and B or Medicare Advantage also count as QHC, but please note VA Health Benefits do not count as QHC.
If someone in your household does not have PIP medical coverage and has a change in their health insurance, you must ACT:
- A – Ask your auto insurance company or agent about your PIP medical coverage choice and find out if you need QHC to maintain your current selection.
- C – Contact your health insurer to determine if your new policy counts as QHC and to get an updated QHC letter.
- T –Tell your auto insurance company immediately if you lose your QHC. You have 30 days to obtain replacement health insurance or make a different PIP medical selection, or you risk not having medical coverage for yourself and your family in the event of a crash.
If you are interested in learning more or have questions, visit Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance or call the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (833) ASK-DIFS (275-3437).
Gear up for spring fishing by getting your 2023 Fishing License
The new fishing license and regulation season kicked off April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new license in order to enjoy Michigan’s great fishing opportunities. The 2023 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2024.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing via the app.