In this e-newsletter:

  • Upcoming Coffee Hour: Friday, February 21st 
  • Key Bills Signed into Law
  • Committee Assignments
  • Federal Funding Freeze
  • American Heart Month Resolution Passes Unanimously
  • State of the State: Wednesday, February 26th

Upcoming Coffee Hour

Thank you to everyone who attended our first coffee hour of the new term last month. Our next coffee hour will be:

Friday, February 21st 

9 to 10 a.m. 

La Familia Café: 224 W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo

While advanced registration is not required, anyone who would like to RSVP or submit questions in advance may do so by emailing JulieRogers@house.mi.gov.

Key Bills Signed into Law

In our last newsletter, I highlighted the signing of one of the bills I sponsored that made it across the finish line during lame duck. This month, I am excited to announce that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law three more bills that I championed last term.

  • House Bill 4224: Repeals work requirements for able-bodied adults enrolled in Michigan’s Medicaid program. Medicaid is health care, and everyone should have access to affordable and quality health management. These burdensome requirements merely posed a bureaucratic hurdle in front of otherwise eligible individuals who could end up receiving expensive care in the emergency room rather than receiving preventative medical care.
  • House Bill 4728: Revises the frequency of testing breast milk donors for HIV from the current requirement of every 90 days to once, aligning Michigan with 49 other states while cutting government red tape.
  • House Bill 5825: Codifies the federal Affordable Care Act medical loss ratio provision which requires insurance companies to spend a minimum of 80% of their profits on delivering health care to patients. 

I am deeply grateful that these bills have been signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. Each of these measures represents a step forward in improving health care access, reducing unnecessary burdens, and ensuring that we prioritize patient care. 

Committee Assignments

This term, I am honored to serve on the following committees:

  • Appropriations – Member
  • Appropriations Subcommittee on Medicaid and Behavioral Health – Minority Vice Chair
  • Appropriations Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Affairs – Minority Vice Chair
  • Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges – Member

I am particularly proud to hold two Minority Vice Chair positions, where I will continue to advocate for funding priorities that uplift our communities and protect our most vulnerable. I am looking forward to bringing my experience as a health care provider to the table this term. 

Federal Funding Freeze

Our office has received a significant increase in outreach from community organizations, local government officials, and residents who are concerned about recent federal changes, including freezes to essential programs like Medicaid and Head Start, as well as various layoffs. In response, we sent a formal letter to Congressman Huizenga to outline these concerns. Additionally, I uplifted these issues publicly during the Governor’s rollout of her executive budget.

With over 40% of our state budget funded by federal dollars and more than 40% allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services, these federal changes could have a major impact on Michigan. We are committed to closely monitoring the situation and advocating for policies that protect our state’s most vital programs and services.

House Resolution 18: Commemorating American Heart Month

On a positive note, we are proud to share that the Michigan House unanimously passed my resolution, House Resolution 18, designating February as American Heart Month. This resolution also recognized “Wear Red Day,” which took place both locally and nationally last week. The day served as a reminder of the critical importance of raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in Michigan.

This bipartisan effort shows that the Legislature can come together to support important health initiatives. I encourage everyone to take steps toward heart health by eating a balanced diet with fresh produce, staying active, and working with a health care provider to know key health numbers, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, heart rate, and body mass index. Together, we can work to reduce the impact of heart disease and improve the health of our communities.

State of the State: Wednesday, February 26th 

Governor Whitmer will deliver her annual State of the State address at the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 26. This year, the cover of the State of the State program will once again feature artwork created by Michigan students. K-12 students are encouraged to submit their designs on the theme “Think Michigan.”

For more information, please visit the SOS Contest Application page. Please note that all submissions must be received by 5 p.m. today. As one of the Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus co-chairs, I look forward to seeing the creativity and talent from Michigan’s young artists!