Health Care
Column: New policy makes Michigan a more welcoming — and healthy — place for immigrants
Almost 30 years ago, my mom was overjoyed that she was approved to work in the United States. Though it was difficult to move halfway across the world and be apart from her parents, her siblings and her friends, she was grateful for this new chapter. Her story echoes the experiences of many immigrants: she […]
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says
WASHINGTON — As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions of low income families afford healthy food could see substantial cuts. The White House released a state-by-state breakdown, estimating that nearly 7 million people who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, […]
Hit the snooze button: States debate later high school start times
California and Florida have become the first states to require later public school start times, a response to reams of research showing significant advantages for high school students who can get more sleep by beginning their day at 8:30 a.m. or later. But such changes come with difficult ripple effects — upended bus schedules, later starts […]
Here are the states that arrest and punish the most pregnant women
Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma and South Carolina lead the nation in arresting and criminally punishing women for allegedly posing a danger to their fetuses, according to a report released by advocacy group Pregnancy Justice. Nationwide, nearly 1,400 people were arrested or subject to disparate bail, sentencing and probation for conduct related to their pregnancies between 2005 […]
Senate committee considers prescription drug cost oversight package
Updated, 4:08 p.m., 9/22/23 A package of bills under consideration by the state Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee could create an independent board to review prescription drug costs with the aim of lowering prices for Michiganders. Senate Bills 483–485, sponsored by Sens. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay […]
Michigan Supreme Court won’t hear appeals in Flint water crisis cases
The Michigan Supreme court will not hear appeals to the lower courts’ decisions to dismiss criminal charges against key figures in the Flint Water Crisis prosecution, including the state health director at the time. Nine officials in Michigan, including former Gov. Rick Snyder, were charged in 2021, in connection to the Flint water crisis that […]
Michigan’s Reproductive Health Act has a questionable future as Democrat objects
Half of the package to repeal remnants of Michigan’s abortion restriction laws known as the Reproductive Health Act, cleared the House Health Policy Committee on Wednesday, with opposition from several members. Nearly 57% of voters in Michigan voted for Proposal 3 in 2022 to ensure the constitutional right an abortion. State Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) […]
The next budget gives kids free school lunches for a year. This bill could make it permanent.
In a move that could save parents hundreds of dollars a year, a Michigan Senate bill currently under consideration has the potential to make free school breakfasts and lunches a permanent investment in public schools. SB 500, sponsored by state Sen. Dana Polehanki (D-Livonia), would make permanent an item of the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 […]
Column: Local communities know what’s best for their residents
For the last 30 years, I have spent my days in the classroom helping children learn reading, math and other critical skills. Educators strive to understand all the factors — in and out of the classroom — that impact our students, because we want every child to have a healthy, full life. I will never […]
Tuberville opponents plant hundreds of signs outside U.S. Capitol in protest of blockade
WASHINGTON — More than 300 signs dotted the lawn outside the U.S. Senate Tuesday, each bearing the name of a military nominee blocked this year by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy. Multiple Democratic senators delivered comments Tuesday at the sign installation organized by the progressive VoteVets Political Action Committee, which […]
Michigan congresswoman pushes ‘Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights’
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, re-introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at improving the lives of U.S. restaurant workers. The “Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights” would raise wages and improve work conditions for restaurant staff. Tlaib, who also pushed this legislation last year, held a press conference Tuesday alongside U.S. House colleagues and […]
Michigan joins other states in challenging Idaho’s near-total abortion ban
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has added her name to a document from 23 other attorneys general who are supporting the Biden’s administration’s legal challenge on Idaho’s laws that essentially ban all abortions. Nessel joined the attorneys general last week in an amicus brief supporting the U.S. Department of Justice’s case against Idaho that the […]