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Dear Neighbor, June is a busy time in the legislature as we continue our work on the state budget for the next fiscal year. My colleagues and I are focused on delivering common-sense investments that improve opportunity, support our local students and schools, and most importantly, lower costs for Michigan families. I look forward to working toward a balanced budget that directly benefits our community. Below, you’ll find updates on several major bipartisan bills I’ve introduced recently to support our local first responders and to reform frustrating healthcare insurance protocols. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 517-373-0140 or [email protected] if you need assistance or have questions. In service, |
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Rep. Mike McFall Serving the communities of Center Line, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, and part of Warren |
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Upcoming Events I am hosting a Community Conversation on Saturday, June 20, from 10-11 a.m. at Gather + Grounds (25709 Van Dyke Ave., Center Line, 48015). Make sure to mark your calendar! Join me to receive an update on what is going on in Lansing and ask questions as I address concerns the community may have. I hope to see you there! |
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.png "Alt. text: A community conversation graphic for Michigan State Representative Mike McFall on Saturday, May 23, from 10 to 11 AM at Coffee & Bark, 24141 John R Road in Hazel Park. To learn more about Rep. McFall, email MikeMcFall@house.mi.gov, visit RepMcFall.com, or call 517-373-0140.")
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Legislative Updates McFall, Mueller Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support First Responders Battling PTSD May 1, 2026 Along with my colleague state Rep. Mike Mueller, I introduced House Bills 5952 and 5953 to modernize Michigan’s worker’s disability compensation system by recognizing the unique psychological toll of emergency service. The bipartisan legislation establishes a specialized fund and a presumption of causation for post-traumatic stress injuries, ensuring first responders can access critical support without unnecessary bureaucratic delay. House Bill 5953 establishes a “presumption of causation” for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for eligible first responders. This shift removes the heavy legal burden currently placed on workers to prove their injury was work-related, ensuring they can access benefits more quickly. National data highlights the urgency of this change: research indicates that first responders are significantly more likely to experience PTSD and depression than the general public, and tragically, police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Our first responders show up for us on the worst days of our lives, and it is our responsibility to show up for them when the weight of that service becomes too much to bear. By creating a presumption of causation for PTSD, we are removing the bureaucratic hurdles that prevent our heroes from getting the help they need. This isn’t just about policy; it’s about ensuring that those who protect our communities don’t have to fight a second battle against red tape just to heal. The package also includes House Bill 5952, which creates the Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Fund within the state treasury. This fund would be used to pay authorized claims and administrative costs for those who have served at least five cumulative years in high-stress occupations. McFall Reintroduces Legislation to Protect Patients by Reforming “Step Therapy” and “Fail First” Insurance Protocols May 15, 2026 Last month, I announced the reintroduction of critical legislation aimed at protecting Michigan patients from burdensome insurance practices known as step therapy or “fail first” protocols. The bill, House Bill 5988, seeks to ensure that patients can access the life-saving medications prescribed by their doctors without the unnecessary hurdles often mandated by insurance providers. Step therapy, often referred to as “fail first,” is a practice used by health insurers that requires patients to try and fail on one or more lower-cost medications before the insurer will cover the original drug prescribed by their healthcare provider. While these protocols are intended to control costs, they often ignore the unique medical needs of individuals, particularly those managing chronic or long-term conditions. By forcing patients to cycle through ineffective treatments, these “fail first” policies can lead to unnecessary suffering and permanent disease progression. When a patient is in need of treatment, they should not be forced into a cycle of trial and error dictated by an insurance company. By reintroducing this legislation, we are continuing our fight to ensure that medical decisions remain between a patient and their doctor. Reforming these “fail first” requirements is about common sense, transparency, and prioritizing patient health over corporate bureaucracy. The bill requires insurers to grant or deny a step therapy or “fail first” exception request within 72 hours, or 24 hours in urgent circumstances, ensuring that medical care is not delayed by administrative paperwork. Additionally, it mandates that all step therapy protocols be based on high-quality, peer-reviewed clinical practice guidelines developed by expert multidisciplinary panels, rather than purely financial considerations. |
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Rep. McFall introduces House Bill 5988 at the Capitol Building in Lansing. McFall, Greene Lead the Way in Promoting Ibogaine Research in Michigan May 22, 2026 Alongside my colleague state Rep. Jamie Greene, I recently introduced a plan to make Michigan a national leader in the field of health research related to ibogaine. The opioid epidemic has taken too many lives in our state, and we can’t ignore new research that could help people beat dependency and treat severe mental health conditions. This bill creates a strict, safe grant program for clinical trials right here in Michigan, run by top-tier hospitals and research schools. It’s a common-sense approach to finding every possible tool to save lives and heal our communities. House Bill 6020 would create an ibogaine grant program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for certified clinical drug development trials overseen by the Federal Drug Administration. Helpful News and Resources Celebrating Pride Month June 2026 June marks the start of Pride Month, a time to celebrate the vibrant diversity, history, and resilience of our LGBTQ+ community here in Michigan. As your state representative, I believe that every single individual, regardless of who they are or who they love, deserves to live safely, authentically, and with full dignity in their neighborhood. While we celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made to ensure true equality across our state, we are also reminded that our work is far from over. True representation means standing up against discriminatory practices and ensuring our communities remain welcoming places for all families. Throughout this month, let’s honor the contributions that LGBTQ+ Michiganders make to our local culture, economy, and community spirit every day. Happy Pride Month, District 14! |
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Recognizing Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month June 2026 June is also Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a vital time to recognize the importance of mental well-being and remind one another that seeking help is a profound sign of strength. Like so many families across our state, my own family has experienced a mental health crisis, and I know firsthand how difficult navigating our support systems can be. Let’s continue breaking the stigma, encouraging open conversations, and making sure every man in our community has the support and resources he needs to thrive. If you or a loved one needs immediate support, please remember you can call or text the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. |
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Highlighting Business of the Month: Kozy Lounge May 2026 I’m happy to recognize Kozy Lounge as our May Business of the Month! Each month, I highlight a local small business in our district that helps make our communities stronger, through community involvement, local investment, and taking pride in what they do. Kozy Lounge is a great example of that spirit right here in Hazel Park. With a great selection of food and the kind of personal service you can only get from a local spot, Kozy Lounge makes sure every customer has a great experience. Be sure to check them out and support a great local business! |
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Tax Year 2025 Return Processing Update Guidance for Taxpayers Checking Refund Status
Once the return has been processed, please allow up to 5-7 business days for the refund to be issued. This is a separate process, and exceptions cannot be made to this timeframe. Michigan Treasury eServices is the fastest way to:
Taxpayers may call the individual Income Tax Call Center at 517-636-4486 on Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reduce wait times, taxpayers are encouraged to:
Call volumes are sometimes high due to repeat callers. Treasury asks that taxpayers allow adequate processing time before calling again or request a callback through Michigan Treasury eServices. Hardship Situations Expedited review is available if a taxpayer has a qualifying hardship:
Documentation must be provided for the Treasury to consider processing a return out of order. Expedited reviews still take time.
Community Events Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration June 20, 2026 The Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration is a family-friendly event that brings together people of all ages, races, and faiths to enjoy an afternoon in the park commemorating this historic American holiday. This year’s celebration will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at Madison Heights Civic Center Park. It will feature live music at the city bandshell, food trucks, vendor booths, dance performances, a 25-foot climbing tower (courtesy of Oakland County Parks), bounce houses, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, crafts, educational exhibits, and more. Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us in celebrating freedom on June 20 at Civic Center Park. Free admission. Free parking. Hope to see you there!
Below are some links and details for finding events in your area. Click on your community’s event calendar link to find events occurring in your neighborhood.
Public School Websites and District Calendar Information |