by orionontv | Apr 10, 2023 | Scouting
Brandon Kathman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sr. District Executive & Operations Marketing Lead 4/10/23
[email protected]
947-886-5736
Lake Orion Volunteer Honored by Michigan Scouts
The Boy Scouts of America’s Michigan Crossroads Council awarded a Lake Orion volunteer with
their highest honor, the Silver Beaver medal, during the local district’s annual banquet on April 8.
Troop 128 Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Houlihan stood before his family and fellow “Scouters” as
Jennifer Sanker, a vice president for the state-wide council, presented him with the medal. To be
considered for the honor, volunteers must demonstrate exceptional character, extraordinary service
and be nominated by their peers. Furthermore, the council can only grant a few each year.
A keystone of the Scouting movement in Oakland County, Houlihan was recognized for his role at
the council level as well as within his troop, most recently creating the Emergency-o-ree campout
in October of 2022. Held at Camp Agawam, the event utilized partnerships with first responders to
teach several hundred Scouts about emergency preparedness.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Houlihan said of the award. “It’s a huge honor, and I’m humbled to be a
part of the team. All I can do is continue working and try to live up to it.”
Houlihan works as a deputy sheriff with Oakland County assigned to corrections. He has raised
three sons, all of whom earned the rank of Eagle Scout, including Casey Houlihan, 19, who
received his rank in 2022.
“Scouting is a way for him to help the youth and set them on a good track,” Casey Houlihan said.
“He has always joked with the kids, ‘I’m in Scouting so I don’t have to meet you professionally.’
It’s just his passion; he has loved it for years.”
Other Lake Orion volunteers earned local awards from the council’s Pontiac-Manito District,
which spans much of Oakland County. Mikah Wisner of Pack 186 at St. Joseph Catholic Church
received “Cubmaster of the Year” for his role in rebuilding the unit. During the 2022 program
year, Wisner’s recruiting efforts took the pack from a dozen youth to over 50 participants.
The district awarded “Scoutmaster of the Year” to longtime volunteer Derek Krentz of Troop 284
at King of Kings Lutheran Church. The troop has remained one of the largest programs in Oakland
County, even during the pandemic. Krentz earned praise for his mentorship and support of the
young men in his troop.
Finally, Patrick Cox of Pack 128 at St. Mary’s in the Hills received the District Award of Merit for
facilitating monthly “roundtables,” which bring together Cub Scout leaders from across the district
to network and share ideas.
Picture 1: Scouts practice the firemen’s carry during the 2022 Emergency-o-ree, a brainchild of Houlihan’s.
Picture 2: Houlihan embraces his wife, Jewel, as sons Casey and Cullen join the crowd in applause.
Picture 3: Scoutmaster Derek Krentz receives the Scoutmaster of the Year Award from District Commissioner Lonny Johnson (left) and District Chairman Dane Bezemek (right).
Picture 4: Mikah Wisner shakes the hand of District Chairman Dane Bezemek as he receives the Cubmaster of the Year Award.
Picture 5: Patrick Cox receives the District Award of Merit from Chairman Dane Bezemek.
Picture 6: The Silver Beaver Award may only be presented for individuals who have demonstrated years of exceptional service.
by orionontv | Apr 10, 2023 | Health and Wellness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov
MIHealthyLife will strengthen health care coverage for Michiganders
State hears from public on strengthening Medicaid before selecting health plans
LANSING, Mich. – After hearing from nearly 10,000 residents, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has identified focus areas for its MIHealthyLife initiative to improve the health of residents covered by Medicaid.
The focus areas – known as strategic pillars – will serve as the foundation for rebidding contracts for the Medicaid health plans that provide services to 2.2 million Michiganders receiving coverage through Medicaid and Michigan’s Healthy Michigan Plan.
The five pillars are:
- Serve the Whole Person, Coordinating Health and Health-Related Needs.
- Give All Kids a Healthy Start.
- Promote Health Equity and Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities.
- Drive Innovation and Operational Excellence.
- Engage Members, Families and Communities.
“I appreciate the valuable feedback from Michigan residents covered by Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan and from other stakeholders who partner with MDHHS to strengthen Medicaid,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Together we can help our residents enjoy a healthier future through a more equitable, coordinated and person-centered system of care.”
In July 2022, MDHHS announced MIHealthyLife, an initiative to improve the health of Michiganders as the department prepares to rebid its Medicaid health plan contracts. MDHHS sought public input through a comprehensive survey to inform MIHealthyLife. Survey questions sought feedback on broad priorities and principles that will guide the state’s selection of Medicaid health plans.
MDHHS identified the five pillars based on feedback received from the public, as well as input from internal MDHHS officials, targeted external stakeholder interviews, a review of state health and human services priorities, and a survey of national best practices,
Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan provide health care coverage to state residents that include low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid health plans are key to achieving the MDHHS mission of improving the health, safety and prosperity of residents.
Of the responses, 85%, or more than 8,300, came from people enrolled in Medicaid or a family member. The remaining 15% came from other health care stakeholders, including health plans, primary care providers, behavioral health providers and hospitals or health systems.
Nearly 5,000 stakeholders responded to open-ended questions, resulting in 15,739 comments that included calls for integrated physical, behavioral and oral health along with social determinants of health supports and for ensuring that all children and families have access to quality health care regardless of their financial status.
MDHHS established six design teams consisting of subject matter experts from across the department to create actionable policies to support these strategic pillars. The teams continue to use feedback from the survey to inform the policy and program changes and the overall process for selecting Medicaid health plans through a rebidding process.
MDHHS will accept proposals for Comprehensive Health Care Program Medicaid health plans in fall 2023.
For more information, or to stay updated on MIHealthyLife, visit www.michigan.gov/MDHHS/MIHealthyLife. All questions related to the rebid process can be sent to mdhhs-mihealthylife@michigan.gov.
by orionontv | Apr 10, 2023 | Recreation
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DNR News
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April 10, 2023
Contact: Christian LeSage, 517-449-7073 or Sierra Williams, 517-230-8788
Gear up for spring fishing by getting your 2023 fishing license
 The new fishing license and regulation season kicked off April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new license in order to enjoy Michigan’s great fishing opportunities. The 2023 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2024.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing via the app.
Michigan DNR Hunt Fish, an official app of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, gives you a mobile path to buy and store hunting, fishing, ORV and snowmobile licenses and permits, report harvests, access guides and digests, and get the latest outdoor recreation updates.
Make future online fishing license purchases even quicker by selecting auto-renew at checkout to automatically receive licenses in the future.
2023 fishing seasons
- The statewide trout opener and the Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons all open Saturday, April 29.
- In Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike seasons open Monday, May 15.
- Michigan’s muskellunge possession season on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers opens Saturday, June 3. (Remember that catch-and-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year).
- The catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open all year on nearly all waters (unless otherwise closed to fishing – check the current Michigan Fishing Guide for specifics).
- The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 27, except for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and the Detroit rivers which open Saturday, June 17.
The 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide and Inland Trout & Salmon Maps are available online along with a lot of other helpful fishing information – including fishing locations, species identification and tips for beginners – at Michigan.gov/Fishing. |
Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.
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by orionontv | Apr 10, 2023 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Fallen U.S Army Solider Braden Robert Peltier
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and across all public buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, April 11 to honor and remember Bay City native and fallen U.S Army solider Braden Robert Peltier, who passed away at the age of 23 last week. The flag lowering will coincide with the date of Peltier’s funeral.
“Braden represented the best of our state as he served our nation in uniform,” said Governor Whitmer. “A Bay City native and proud husband, dad, brother, and son, Braden leaves behind a legacy of service that we should all strive to live up to. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.”
Braden Robert Peltier was born in Bay City in 1999. Peltier loved spending time with his family and outdoors. Brandon was an outdoorsman, he spent time fishing, camping, hunting, trail riding and working out. Peltier leaves behind his wife, Pagge Peltier, and son, Caycee Peltier.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of fallen U.S Army solider Braden Robert Peltier by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full staff on Wednesday, April 12.
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by orionontv | Apr 6, 2023 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Secures Commitments from Insurers to Protect Coverage for No-Cost Preventive Healthcare for Michiganders
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that insurers representing 100% of the fully insured health insurance market in Michigan have agreed to maintain no-cost preventive healthcare services despite a Texas federal judge’s decision in Braidwood Management. Inc. v. Becerra that struck down that requirement under the Affordable Care Act. While the court’s decision is being appealed, 2.1 million Michiganders will maintain their current preventive healthcare coverage until the end of the case’s legal process.
“Preventive healthcare saves lives and that’s why we are taking immediate action to ensure this critical coverage is continued,” said Governor Whitmer. “No one should have to wait for a court decision to decide whether they can afford to go see a doctor. As the legal process moves forward, we will continue to take proactive steps to protect people’s healthcare.”
“These agreements provide certainty to consumers and ensure that coverage for no-cost preventive healthcare services is maintained despite the Texas court decision until the issues are finally and fully resolved during the appeals in this legal proceeding,” said Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox. “Preventive healthcare services improve health outcomes and lower costs, and we will continue to work to ensure that Michigan families continue to have access to the no-cost lifesaving preventative care that they had before this decision.”
“It is important for our members to know that their care and coverage does not change because of the court’s decision,” said James D. Grant, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Access to no-cost screenings, counseling services and preventive medications is critical to early detection, breaking down barriers to care and improving overall health. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan supports maintaining these preventive services in place without cost sharing until all appeals to the court’s decision are finalized.”
“We know preventive services save lives and lower the cost of care for our members,” said Praveen Thadani, president of Priority Health. “It is part of our mission and vision at Priority Health to improve health and make care more affordable and equitable. We are committed to supporting our members at every stage of their health and wellness journey and that includes helping our members stay healthy through coverage of preventive services, not only treating them when they are sick.”
The insurers who have agreed to continue covering no-cost preventive services in fully insured plans are:
- Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of Michigan Inc.
- Blue Care Network of Michigan
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
- Health Alliance Plan, Alliance Health and Life Insurance Company
- Humana Insurance Company
- Humana Medical Plan of Michigan
- McLaren Health Plan Community
- Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc.
- Molina Healthcare of Michigan
- Nippon Life Insurance Company of America
- Oscar Insurance Company
- Physicians Health Plan
- Priority Health
- UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Inc. and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Inc.
- US Health and Life Insurance Company
- Wellfleet Insurance Company
The agreements apply to fully insured Michigan health insurance plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets, which includes plans sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Michiganders with self-funded group health plans offered by some large private employers should contact their insurer or employer to understand any potential changes to their insurance coverage. If you are scheduling preventive healthcare services and have questions, contact your insurer or employer. For further assistance, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS at 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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