Health Care
GOP memo: Latest no-fault plan won’t guarantee lower rates
The latest version of draft legislation to overhaul the state’s auto no-fault law scraps mandated insurance rate reductions. That’s despite allowing tiered plans that provide less medical coverage, according to a Republican memo obtained by the Michigan Advance. Lowering costs for Michiganders was a fundamental part of previous plans. It was the reason why no-fault […]
Feds give Flint $2.2M to strip lead paint
Flint was awarded a federal grant for $2.2 million to find and remove lead-based paint from homes across the city, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) announced Wednesday. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development after Kildee had previously asked the department for the lead-removal funding, according to the congressman’s office. […]
Recreational pot escapes Lame Duck unscathed, but advocates still uneasy
Republican Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof’s plan to scale back the state’s newly minted recreational marijuana law is dead — and it never really stood a chance in the Legislature. But Michigan pot advocates are still uneasy about what’s going on with medical marijuana. Michigan passed the law legalizing weed for medical use back in […]
Michigan’s manic Lame Duck session continues to mesmerize national media
Michigan’s frenetic end-of-the-year legislative session before Democrats assume all top statewide offices continues to command the attention of national outlets. Reporters from national outfits like CNN attended the exit interview last week of GOP Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, eager to see if the term-limited governor would show his hand on signing […]
Whitmer talks roads, Asian carp with Trump at White House meeting
At the White House today, Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer naturally took the opportunity to talk with President Trump about “fixing the damn roads,” but she also said she raised the issue of Asian carp. “That was an interesting conversation because I don’t think President Trump had really had the chance to think, or learn much about […]
Anti-abortion telemedicine legislation moves to governor’s desk
Gov. Rick Snyder has often said that he’s focused on economics, not social issues, but that hasn’t stopped his fellow Republicans from sending anti-abortion legislation to his desk. This time it’s a permanent ban on telemedicine exams for abortion backed by Right to Life of Michigan and the Michigan Catholic Conference. In 2012, Michigan enacted […]
Trump-backed short-term health plans introduced, but not supposed to move in Senate
A GOP bill introduced last week in the Michigan Senate takes aim at Obamacare, loosening regulations for short-term health insurance plans. But its future is uncertain. These policies have been a favorite of the Trump administration. In August, it issued a new rule allowing for plans that last up to 364 days, with an option […]
Former lawmaker leading economic opportunity nonprofit slams GOP-led Lame Duck assault
A former longtime state lawmaker who now leads a nonprofit policy institute focused on economic opportunity is dismayed by the frenetic Lame Duck session.