State Rep. Dr. Matt Longjohn (D-Portage) and Valerie Miller, director of the Kalamazoo College Center for Career and Professional Development, attend the governor’s State of the State Address on Feb. 26, 2025, at the Capitol in Lansing.
Michigan’s only physician-legislator shares priority of helping Michiganders overcome medical debt
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 26, 2025 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State Address before a joint legislative session tonight. In her speech, the governor discussed her plan to lower costs for families ahead of looming tariffs, increase the workforce and deliver results for the people of Michigan. After the address, state Rep. Dr. Matt Longjohn (D-Portage) issued the following statement:
“I was a medical doctor and health system innovator long before being elected as state representative — then and now, I worry about affordability for all Michiganders. It is no secret that health care costs are too expensive. People are struggling to pay for prescriptions, treatments or upkeep of medical care for their chronic conditions. The Governor’s call on the Legislature to pay down medical debt is something I can and will support. People need more breathing room and health care affordability, and I want to see the Governor’s plan be put into practice.”