LANSING, Mich., Feb. 26, 2025 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State Address before a joint legislative session today. In her speech, the governor discussed her plan to lower costs for families ahead of more looming tariffs, increase the workforce and deliver results for the people of Michigan. After the address, state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement:

“We have made strides in the last few years to protect the health of Michiganders by expanding vital programs that many rely on, including maternal and infant health. This term, it’s important that we continue building upon that work by protecting access to Medicaid and access to lifesaving care for millions across the state. As a practicing health care provider, I have seen firsthand the importance of retaining consistent, high-quality and accessible care. My guest tonight, Denise Crawford, president and chief executive officer for the Family Health Center in Kalamazoo, a Federally Qualified Health Center which provides health care for underserved communities, understands the urgency of this issue all too well.

“As the cost of nearly everything rises, it’s also important that we continue working towards making higher education more affordable and accessible. Higher education can open doors to a lifelong career — including those in the health sciences — and we owe it to our students to give them every opportunity to succeed right here in Michigan.”

As looming federal cuts and the divisive rhetoric coming out of Washington cause uncertainty to spread across the state, the work that the Democratic trifecta accomplished last term has helped protect our most vulnerable. Last term, Michigan House Democrats voted to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as prohibited categories for discrimination. Additionally, Rogers sponsored vital legislation such as codifying portions of the Affordable Care Act and repealing Medicaid work requirements, further protecting our residents. 

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