Dear Neighbor,

This fall, Michigan saw a 12-year high on the number of vaccination waiver requests for newly enrolled Michigan students, even as measles cases continue to rise across the country. At the same time, the federal vaccine advisory panel is expected to revise the childhood immunization schedule, creating real uncertainty for parents, caregivers and schools.

In response, my colleague state Rep. Matt Longjohn and I joined House Democrats to introduce the Empowering Parents, Protecting Communities package: 11 bills that strengthen transparency, protect public health and support parents in making informed choices.

Our legislation would:

  • Codify Michigan’s existing immunization standards so families, schools and providers can rely on consistent, evidence-based policies.
  • Improve access to school and child care immunization and waiver data, preserving parental choice and individual privacy while giving families the information they need to understand community protection levels and choose safe learning environments.
  • Require insurers to continue covering all recommended vaccines, ensuring universal access to essential, evidence-based preventive care.

As a practicing health care provider, I see every day how vaccines save lives and prevent serious illness. And as federal vaccination guidance continues to waver, it has become clear that states must step up to enact stronger policies that ensure better transparency around vaccination rates.

This bill package gives families, schools and public health experts better tools and data to keep kids healthy, classrooms open and communities strong. By aligning our policies with the best available medical evidence, we can give parents peace of mind and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

I am proud to be a supporter of this work and to help ensure Michigan continues to lead with science, compassion and common sense. I am sponsoring a bill in the package that codifies the role of the Michigan Advisory Committee on Immunizations in setting statewide vaccination guidelines. This is a key step in keeping our standards grounded in trusted medical expertise.

For many Kalamazoo families — especially those caring for infants, seniors or immunocompromised loved ones — knowing the strength of community immunity can offer valuable peace of mind when choosing the safest environment for their children.

As always, please reach out if you have questions about this legislation or how it may affect your family. It is an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,
Julie M. Rogers
State Representative
House District 41