LANSING, Mich., March 5, 2025 — House Democrats announced legislative action today to combat the spread of the avian flu in Michigan and call on the federal government to establish a coordinated plan to save lives, lower prices and prevent the next pandemic. State Rep. Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) introduced three appropriation supplemental bills that would direct funding to the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development, to test for bird flu in livestock, humans and wild animals respectively. 

“We must take action to prevent the next pandemic now,” Rheingans said. “With the federal government’s chaos and uncertainty, coupled with the censoring of public health communications, firing of critical workers and freezing of crucial funds, states are being forced to step up to fill in the gaps. The three bills I’ve introduced will enhance the ability of Michigan’s governmental agencies to test for the virus so that we can pinpoint where it is spreading, allowing us to more effectively combat it and communicate the risk level to the public. We need to ensure public health and agricultural offices have every resource to effectively do their jobs to keep us safe.” 

State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) will introduce a resolution to call on the federal government to create a comprehensive national strategy to curb the spread of bird flu.

“As we all know, viruses do not respect state lines,” Coffia said. “That’s why we need a strategic coordinated response from the Trump Administration that encompasses all 50 states, and does not continue to muzzle the CDC. This resolution makes it clear that curbing the spread of this virus needs to be a priority so that we can save lives, make Michigan a more affordable place to live, and prevent a pandemic.”

Farmers and agricultural workers are disproportionately affected by this virus due to their close contact with possible infected animals. Once a single animal contracts the virus, entire flocks can quickly be wiped out, directly affecting farmers’ livelihoods. 

“The spread of the bird flu presents a serious challenge to our farmers’ livelihoods and poses a serious risk to their health,” said state Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Twp.). “I am concerned for the many farmers and agricultural workers in my district who work in close proximity to animals that may carry the virus and are at risk of contracting it. Outbreaks across dairy and poultry farms have taken out entire flocks, decimating their produce yield and therefore source of income. Now is the time to take action to protect our farmers.”

Bird flu presents public health concerns similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, should human-to-human transmission become widespread. This brings forth concerns of health disparity that have been further exposed over the last five years. 

“We cannot afford another public health crisis. We need to be taking action now, not later,” said state Rep. Morgan Foreman (D-Pittsfield Twp.). “Black communities bore a disproportionate rate of death in Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, farm workers, who are disproportionately Hispanic and work closely with poultry and dairy populations, are acutely threatened by the bird flu. Addressing health care inequities will take a multi-pronged approach — but it starts with minimizing risks and threats. The bird flu is one of those risks.”

Bird flu outbreaks across farms are not just costing farmers, they’re also costing consumers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting the price of eggs will hit a record high due to the spread of the virus.

“The bird flu is costing our consumers — literally. Egg prices are averaging $5 dollars a dozen, with a predicted hike of 41% this year,” said state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), Minority Vice Chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security. “Michiganders need economic relief. Taking action to combat and prevent the bird flu will not only protect public health, but Michiganders’ pocketbooks.”  

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