Let’s talk about sunflowers, bees, and roadways
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MDOT roadside parks reopening April 28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT MDOT roadside parks reopening April 28 LANSING, Mich. – Roadside parks operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will reopen for the season Friday, April 28. MDOT maintains 85 roadside parks around the state. Some parks operate seasonally, usually closing in late October and reopening in the spring. While parks are scheduled to be open April 28, motorists should not expect drinking water at all parks to be turned on until sometime later in May, after annual testing and treatment of the park water systems is completed. A map showing the status of MDOT roadside parks is available on the MDOT website. |
Keeping Healthcare Coverage During Medicaid Renewal
Oakland County Helping Residents Keep Healthcare Coverage During Medicaid Renewal Process
• Michigan is conducting its first Medicaid Renewal in three years which affects about 90,000 Oakland County residents.
• Oakland County and its community partners are helping residents to navigate the renewal process and, if necessary, find an affordable health plan.
• For more information on the Medicaid renewal, go to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges.
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County and its community partners are urging the county’s 89,500 residents who are enrolled in Medicaid to participate in Michigan’s Medicaid renewal process to avoid any potential gaps in healthcare coverage. During a news conference today at Trinity Health Oakland hospital, County Executive Dave Coulter joined healthcare leaders to announce the availability of navigators and other resources to help residents with the renewal process.
Medicaid renewal determines whether those enrolled are still eligible for coverage. This is Michigan’s first Medicaid renewal in three years because of COVID-19 federal emergency public health orders expiring in May. At least 15,000 Oakland County residents enrolled in Medicaid during that period. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges.
“We want to make sure that no Oakland County resident experiences a gap in their health care coverage as a result of these eligibility reviews,” Coulter said. “So, we’re working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to get the word out and providing links to community organizations that can help Oakland County residents who are receiving Medicaid benefits navigate the renewal process.”
Residents who find they are no longer eligible for Medicaid should take the next step to enroll in a healthcare plan at www.healthcare.gov. Residents may go to the six Oakland County Michigan Works! offices in Novi, Pontiac, Oak Park, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford to get assistance with the Medicaid renewal. Also, community organizations like Jewish Family Services, Centro Multicultural La Familia, and ACCESS will assist residents with Medicaid renewal and, if necessary, help them find an affordable health plan.
“Through our work in public health, we recognize the importance of helping the clients we serve to keep their health coverage,” said Deputy Oakland County Executive Madiha Tariq, who oversees the Departments of Health and Human Services and Public Services “Our teams are working to help connect people to resources who can guide them through the Medicaid renewal process. If a resident is determined by MDHHS to no longer be eligible for Medicaid benefits, there are resources to help them go to the healthcare marketplace to purchase health insurance.”
Michigan will send monthly renewal notices three months prior to a beneficiaries’ renewal date beginning with June renewal dates. The state sent June renewal awareness letters in March. To maintain coverage, residents enrolled in Medicaid must fill out a renewal form which the state will send them by mail. Individuals who do not turn in their renewal forms by the due date risk losing their Medicaid coverage.
Those enrolled in Medicaid need to update their address, phone number, and email address in MI Bridges (www.michigan.gov/MIBridges) as soon as possible to receive their renewal packet. They also need to note any changes to their household or income. People who have Medicaid need to check their mail, email, or text to make sure they do not miss their renewal paperwork.
Oakland County has dozens of organizations which serve residents enrolled in Medicaid. Trinity Health Oakland’s Emergency Department sees many patients who have Medicaid. Hospital President Shannon Striebich, who also serves as vice president of operations for all Trinity Health hospitals in Michigan, wants to prevent their patients from finding out they no longer have Medicaid when they visit the emergency room.
“As a longtime healthcare leader in Oakland County and across Michigan, Trinity Health is very concerned that patients will unknowingly lose access to care once their Medicaid eligibility is reviewed,” said Striebich. “Medicaid has been a blessing for many vulnerable patients throughout the state who experience financial struggles. Along with other services, Medicaid coverage provides access to primary care visits, including important routine checkups and preventative care.”
To prepare for the renewal, Medicaid enrollees should gather the following paperwork:
• Proof of age (birth certificate or driver’s license)
• Proof of all sources of income
• Proof of assets and other resources (copies of bank statements or other financial items if told to on your Medicaid renewal form)
• Proof of citizenship or immigration status
• Proof of disability (those who think they qualify because of a disability may need to include documentation in their Medicaid renewal form)
• Proof of other insurance (a copy of your other insurance ID card(s), or red, white, and blue Medicare card)
Residents who do not have access to the Internet may call the MDHHS Beneficiary Help Line at 800-642-3195.
How to stay healthy this tick season
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2023 CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected] MDHHS educates Michigan residents about how to stay healthy this tick season LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages Michigan residents to take steps to avoid tick bites while enjoying the outdoors. Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are increasing across the state as weather warms. Ticks can be active when the weather is above 40⁰F. “Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Michigan residents who find a tick attached to their body should promptly remove it and monitor their health. If they begin to experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, they should consult a medical provider.” Signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease typically begin one to two weeks after a tick bite, often after being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks commonly live. Early symptoms can be non-specific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications. Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common tick-borne disease in Michigan. Anaplasmosis, caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is the second most common tick-borne disease in Michigan and cases are increasing, particularly in the state’s Upper Peninsula. Both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are transmitted by Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick. The blacklegged tick is well-established in parts of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas and has been expanding its range over the years. Information about Lyme disease risk by county is available at Michigan.gov/Lyme. People can protect themselves against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by following these tips: Avoid tick-infested areas.
Use insect repellent.
Perform daily tick checks.
Bathe or shower.
The MDHHS Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Section has recently released a report “Michigan Trends in Tickborne Disease, 2016-2020,” which includes up-to-date information on the types of ticks that are common in Michigan and the diseases they can carry. Not all ticks spread the same germs. MDHHS can help to identify ticks you may encounter outdoors. Residents can email photos of ticks to [email protected] for identification or submit ticks to MDHHS for identification. For more information on how to submit your tick and/or photos and information on ticks, visit Michigan.gov/Lyme. For more information on Lyme disease, visit CDC.gov/Lyme. |
Rally, pinwheels bring awareness to child abuse prevention
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2023 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@ Rally, pinwheels bring awareness to child abuse prevention LANSING, Mich. – Advocates for children held spinning blue and silver pinwheels today as Children Trust Michigan held the 15th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally outside the State Capitol. About 250 people attended, planting the pinwheels in the ground following a ceremony where speakers talked about how communities around Michigan can prevent child abuse. The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. “Every child deserves to feel safe in their home, school and community,” said Michigan Department of Health and human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel, one of the speakers at the rally. “I’m so proud of our employees and the work they do to respond to concerns, and to connect families to the resources they need to be successful and create a safe, healthy and stable home environment for children. However, there is always more that can be done to strengthen families, strengthen communities and prevent abuse before it happens.” More than 15,000 child abuse and neglect cases were confirmed in Michigan last year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Children Trust Michigan, housed within MDHHS, was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982. It serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. Suzanne Greenberg, executive director of Children Trust Michigan, served as emcee for the rally. “Child abuse prevention is an acknowledged community responsibility,” Greenberg said. “The theme of this 15th annual event is ‘Building Together: Prevention in Partnerships.’ This nationwide campaign under the leadership of Prevent Child Abuse America and here statewide through Children Trust Michigan serves as a visual reminder that we all have a role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect.”
Participants walk to plant pinwheels during the 15th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally.
She said one way to build strong communities is by supporting family resource centers, which are places where all families are welcomed and receive access to support in their community. Families can get parenting support, access to resources, child development activities and parent leadership development. Other event speakers included Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Fatima Salman, president of the National Association of Social Workers. Children Trust Michigan honored the 2023 winners of the Inspire Award – Anne Flynn from the Help Me Grow Calhoun program and Mattie Morgan from The Children’s Center in Wayne County. Terry Loynes from the Child Center of Gratiot County and Erick Hamilton of Voices for Children of Genesee County shared parent stories. The Dwight Rich School of the Arts Beginner Band from the Lansing School District provided entertainment.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel speaks at the 15th annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day Rally as Suzanne Greenberg, executive director of the Children Trust Michigan, looks on.
For information on Children Trust Michigan and Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit childrentrustmichigan.org. Today’s rally is one of two major Children’s Trust Fund events in April and May. The annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction Event is May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Breslin Center on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing to raise money to support child abuse prevention programming. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to support the Children’s Trust Fund, visit www.michigan.gov/ctf. |
