Nessel Leads Call Urging Federal Government to Increase Outreach

Nessel Leads Call Urging Federal Government to Increase Outreach

by | Apr 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Ryan Jarvi
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-599-2746

Courtney Covington
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-290-1560

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 14, 2020

AG Nessel Leads Call Urging Federal Government to Increase Outreach About Health Care Coverage Assistance During COVID-19

LANSING – With the attorneys general of California and North Carolina, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today led a multistate coalition in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) urging them to immediately inform the millions of Americans who have lost – or may lose – their employer-sponsored health insurance coverage about the special enrollment period available to them through the official health care marketplace website.

In the letter, the attorneys general highlight the importance of providing families with the information and tools they need to navigate their health care options and access coverage during the unprecedented international health care crisis posed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Given our current public health crisis and its affect on the millions of Americans who are suddenly out of a job and the health insurance that came with it, it’s important that both state and federal government work to ensure those individuals are aware of the resources available to them,” Nessel. “My colleagues and I are asking the federal government to ensure its messaging to those who qualify for the special enrollment period is intentionally robust, especially in the states with federally facilitated health care exchanges – like Michigan.”

In the letter, the attorneys general highlight that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides the flexibility necessary to help people wrestling with the loss of their livelihoods and their families’ health care coverage during this critical time. The ACA requires the HHS Secretary to provide yearly open enrollment periods on the exchanges to permit individuals to enroll in new or different health care coverage.

Outside of the yearly open enrollment period, individuals may enroll in coverage through the health care marketplace only if they qualify for a special enrollment period due to certain life events such as loss of employment offering health care coverage.

In 2018, over half of individuals under age 65 had insurance through their employer, which is why informing individuals of the potential for replacing the coverage they have lost through the health care marketplace is vital.

The coalition expresses concern that, without immediate and widespread outreach, Americans who have recently been laid off will remain unaware of the special enrollment period and thus not access needed health care coverage. Evidence shows that marketplace advertising and consumer assistance increases enrollment numbers and stabilizes markets. Yet, over the last few years, the federal government has actively cut marketplace advertising and consumer assistance. HHS, as the operator of the health care marketplace, must step in to get the word out to consumers in the 38 states that rely on the federal exchange. HHS should also ensure that outreach materials are translated into the same range of languages as other HHS vital documents in order to ensure meaningful access to information about the special enrollment period.

In Michigan, enrollment help is available from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS). The Michigan Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP) can provide shopping tips and help answer questions about health insurance or special enrollment periods. Contact DIFS at 877-999-6442 or send an email. The following resources are also available to get started:

The importance of this outreach will only increase as the economic upheaval of this crisis continues to expand. A new study by the Health Management Associates estimates that the number of people receiving coverage from an employer could decline by up to 35 million due to layoffs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This same study estimates that the economic impact to the labor market could disproportionately impact the roughly 58 million non-elderly individuals who have employer-sponsored coverage and earn less than $50,000 per year. This heavily hit population could greatly benefit from navigating their options on the health care exchanges where they may qualify for subsidies to help pay for health care coverage.

The attorneys general urge HHS to empower individuals and working families across the country to pursue the best coverage option for them, whether it is exchange coverage, COBRA, Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. While the federal government’s promise to reimburse for the testing and treatment of COVID-19 for the uninsured is a step in the right direction, it will not help provide these Americans the comprehensive health care they need and could leave many families with large hospital and insurance bills in the long-run.

Attorney General Nessel serves as lead-cosigner on this letter with the attorneys general of California and North Carolina. Joining them in signing this letter are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
Oakland County to Announce Additional COVID-19 Testing

Oakland County to Announce Additional COVID-19 Testing

by | Apr 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

Oakland County to announce additional COVID-19 testing, number of recovered patients

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Posted at 10:04 AM, Apr 14, 2020
and last updated 10:04 AM, Apr 14, 2020

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter will announce a partnership for additional COVID-19 testing.

Coulter will also introduce an additional health order designed to protect residents and essential business employees.

Additionally, he will update the public on the number of COVID-19 patients in Oakland County who have recovered.

Coulter will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Watch here.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.

Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s orders since the outbreak, coronavirus’ impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.

See all of our Helping Each Other stories.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.

Lake Orion High School Counselors are Available

Lake Orion High School Counselors are Available

by | Apr 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

 
locs header

Hello Lake Orion High School Students and Families,

Your School Counselors want you to know that we are still here for you! Beginning Monday, April 13th we will be available to virtually meet with you. Please check in anytime you feel the need. Your academic, social, emotional, and mental health remain the most important part of our job!

We miss you!

Lake Orion High School Counselors

COUNSELING RESOURCES – Lake Orion High School.pdf

495 East Scripps Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360

248-693-5420

Governor Signs Order Offering Financial Relief for Bars and Restaurants

by | Apr 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Offering Financial Relief for Bars and Restaurants With On- Premises Liquor Licenses

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-46, tasking the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) with initiating a spirits buy-back program to offer financial relief to bars and restaurants with on-premises liquor licenses affected by Executive Order 2020-9 during the continuing COVID-19 crisis.

The order empowers the MLCC to use its revolving fund to buy spirits remaining in inventory from bars and restaurants that purchased the spirits prior to March 16, 2020 for their full purchase price. Liquor licensees approved for the program have until 90 days after the state’s emergency and disasters declarations are lifted to re-purchase the spirits from the MLCC.

“Michigan’s 8,500 on-premises liquor licensees continue to make unprecedented sacrifices to help slow the spread of COVID-19 across our state,” Governor Whitmer said. “This buy-back program will help our bars and restaurants critical to Michigan’s economy weather the storm through this challenging time in our history.”

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission is expected to meet on April 14, 2020, to take official action regarding this executive order.

Licensees must make their request no later than Friday, April 17, 2020, at 5 p.m., using the online form on the MLCC website.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

To view executive order 2020-46, click the link below:

This press release will be translated and made available in Arabic and Spanish at www.michigan.gov/whitmer.  

Governor Whitmer Signs Order Temporarily Extending Expiration

by | Apr 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Temporarily Extending Expiration of Driver’s Licenses, State ID Cards, Vehicle Registrations

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-47, temporarily extending the expiration of valid driver’s licenses, state identification cards and commercial vehicle registrations that would otherwise expire during the state’s COVID-19 emergency declaration.

The temporary extension does not apply to motorists with suspended or revoked driver’s licenses.

“In times of crisis and uncertainty, the last thing you want to think about is having to renew your driver’s license or state ID card,” Gov. Whitmer said. “It is my sincere hope this order gives all Michiganders with expiring identification some peace of mind as we continue our united front to slow the spread of COVID-19 across our state.”

The order, which takes effect April 13 at 11:59 p.m., temporarily extends:

  • Commercial vehicle registrations, including temporary registrations set to expire on or after March 1, 2020 to June 30.
  • Driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses set to expire between March 1 and May 31, to June 30.

People looking to renew their licenses should do so online at Michigan.gov/SOS.

The order also suspends penalties for driving with a recently expired but otherwise valid registration.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

To view executive order 2020-47, click the link below:

This press release will be translated and made available in Arabic and Spanish at www.michigan.gov/whitmer.