2.6 million Michigan residents enrolled in Medicaid

by Becky Andrus | Jun 24, 2024 | Health and Wellness

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

More than 2.6 million Michigan residents enrolled
in Medicaid following year-long redetermination process
Nearly 142,000 beneficiaries renew coverage in May;
1.8 million renewed their coverage during the past year

LANSING, Mich. – As the year-long post-pandemic Medicaid redetermination process draws to a close, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced it renewed Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan coverage for an additional 141,992 people whose eligibility was up for renewal in May. More than 1.8 million beneficiaries have renewed their insurance coverage during the process, bringing the total Medicaid enrollment to 2.6 million.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people continued to receive Medicaid without having to renew annually under the Families First Coronavirus Act. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the pause on annual redeterminations. Michigan reinstated the renewal process beginning in May 2023. The renewal process will continue annually going forward.

“More than 2.6 million people currently have health care coverage through Medicaid or the Healthy Michigan Plan,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “This was the largest renewal process our state has ever conducted, with 1.8 million beneficiaries renewing their coverage during the past year. MDHHS employed numerous successful strategies to help ensure those families continued to have health care coverage.”

Strategies making the renewal process easier and that reduced the number of residents at risk of losing coverage have been approved through June 2025 by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These include:

Renewing Medicaid eligibility for people receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program without conducting separate income determinations.
Reinstating eligibility for people who were disenrolled for procedural reasons and are subsequently redetermined to be eligible for Medicaid during a 90-day reconsideration period.
Providing beneficiaries an extra month to submit paperwork to avoid loss of health care coverage.
Renewing Medicaid eligibility based on a simplified asset verification process.
Continuing robust beneficiary outreach via phone, text and email.

These tactics resulted in:

Thirty percent of beneficiaries disenrolled being reinstated during the 90-day reconsideration period.
One in 4 individuals who lost Medicaid coverage have other comprehensive health care coverage today.

The latest data on Medicaid renewals can be found on MDHHS’ online dashboard. The dashboard, which is updated monthly, shows that 1,842,038 million people have been renewed to date. The department is awaiting completed enrollment forms from another 94,723 people who were up for renewal in May and have until the end of June to return paperwork.

There were 12,402 people disenrolled in May because they were no longer eligible and 1,954 whose eligibility was not renewed for procedural reasons, such as not providing verification documents like a driver’s license, pay stubs and bank statements. MDHHS advises all Medicaid enrollees to check their renewal month and renew online at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.

Families should return renewal paperwork even if they believe they are no longer eligible for Medicaid. Some members of a household can obtain health care coverage even when others are not eligible. For example, a child may be eligible for MiChild, even if their parent is not eligible for other Medicaid programs. Or some Michiganders may have income that is over the income limit for one program and still be able to obtain health care benefits through another program.

Those who no longer qualify will receive additional information about other affordable health coverage options available, including on HealthCare.gov. Affected Michiganders can shop for and enroll in comprehensive health insurance as they transition away from Medicaid. Many can purchase a plan for less than $10 per month. Medicaid beneficiaries can learn more, including what they need to do to prepare for renewals, on the Medicaid Benefit Changes website.

Oxford has their new girls basketball coach

by orionontv | Jun 24, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Oxford has their new girls basketball coach.

Written Monday June 17th at 10:20 PM

The Wildcats have their new girls basketball coach.

Oxford named Phil Dawson as their new girls basketball coach. The move was confirmed on the school’s coaches page.

Dawson is the third coach in two months. He takes over for Rachel Bryer who stepped down in April and Will Jones who took the job last month but stepped down a few days ago.

Dawson coached at Waterford Kettering with the boys basketball program for a time and then at Avondale for two years from 2016-2018 coaching their girls program. He went 31-10 coaching the Yellow Jackets.

Dawson will have will have Allison Hufstedler, Sophia Rabb, Mia Champagne, Emma Buggs, Claire Bruski, Tegan O’Connor, Brynley Cardona, Camryn Quidort, Katelyn Brockway, and Jaylen Jacobsen coming back.

The Wildcats are also in the Red with West Bloomfield, Ferndale, Stoney Creek, Clarkston, and Lake Orion. They are in a very tough district at Swartz Creek with Davison, Swartz Creek, Grand Blanc, Lapeer, and Holly.

Thoughts

It will be very interesting to see how Dawson handles the transition at Oxford. He is known for his run and gun style and is defense first. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Here is the conformation.

https://oxfordstrongathletics.org/head-varsity-coaches/

Mental Health Support to Splash Pad Shooting Victims

by orionontv | Jun 24, 2024 | Regional News

Family Assistance Center Continues to Provide Mental Health Support to Splash Pad Shooting Victims in New Location

Post Date:06/21/2024 2:14 PM

The Family Assistance Center, which provides mental health resources to those impacted by the splash pad shooting in Rochester Hills, is moving to the Rochester Community Schools Administration Building. Counselors will be available from 2-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) will also have a mental health resource table at the upcoming Festival of the Hills.
For more information about mental health resources in the aftermath of the shooting, visit OCHN’s website at oaklandchn.org.

Rochester Hills, Mich. – The Family Assistance Center, opened by Oakland County and Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) to provide mental health resources in the aftermath of the splash pad shooting in Rochester Hills, is relocating and changing its hours.

Counselors will be available from 2-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Rochester Community Schools Administration Building, 52585 Dequindre Road in Rochester, for victims, their families, and those impacted by the violence.

To date, 37 people have sought services at the Family Assistance Center.

OCHN will also have a mental health resource table at the Festival of the Hills on Wednesday, June 26 at Borden Park on East Hamlin Road. Counseling will not be available at the table, but resources for the community will be available.

Individuals unable to visit the Family Assistance Center may call the Oakland County Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to access mental health resources. This service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. One may also connect with the Michigan Crisis and Access Line by dialing 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week or OCHN’s non-emergency behavioral health access department at 248-464-6363, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information about mental health resources, visit OCHN’s website at oaklandchn.org.

Major Retailers Discuss Organized Retail Crime

by orionontv | Jun 24, 2024 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 20, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel and Retail Leaders Hold Organized Retail Crime Roundtable

Nessel and Major Retailers Discuss Organized Retail Crime Partnership and Successes to Mark First Operational Year of AG’s FORCE Team

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, top executives from leading Michigan retailers, and members of the FORCE Team gathered today for a roundtable discussion on combatting organized retail crime. The roundtable featured discussion on the partnership between the first-in-the-nation unit and retail businesses as well as how to build on the many early successes of the FORCE Team as it marks its first year of operations. Representatives from Kroger, Meijer, Ulta Beauty, and Walmart joined the Attorney General and her FORCE Team today in Lansing to laud the unit’s successes.

“Organized Retail Crime is a criminal enterprise that goes far beyond petty shoplifting,” Nessel said. “It steals millions of dollars from Michigan businesses and consumers. The FORCE Team has shown great success in its first year, through partnerships with retail companies and many local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, stopping these organized crime rings in their tracks and bringing them to justice.”

The FORCE Team and the Organized Retail Crime Unit were established in January 2023 by the Attorney General to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for a profit. Since its inception, the FORCE team has charged 59 defendants in 33 cases that contributed over $20 million in losses to Michigan retail businesses. To date, the unit has recovered more than $10 million dollars in retail products, seized nearly $2 million in cash and secured 17 convictions and thousands of dollars in restitution. More than $4.5 million in restitution has been ordered in FORCE Team case resolutions. At present, the FORCE Team has 40 open cases.

“In its first year, the FORCE team has emerged as a national example of how fostering strong relationships between prosecutors, community partners, and law enforcement agencies can be incredibly successful,” Nessel said. “This unique unit has not only tackled loss prevention head-on but also prevented similar theft patterns from reoccurring. This groundbreaking approach has yielded significant results, making the FORCE team a model for other departments across the country and paving the way to a safer shopping experience.”

Two assistant attorneys general serve the FORCE Team full time, working with special agents within the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The unit also partners with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This is a first-in-the-nation unit, unique in the 50 states as being the first such unit with embedded, dedicated staff from the Department of Attorney General.

The FORCE Team is housed within the Michigan State Police.

“Large-scale retail crimes are not one-off opportunistic incidents. The criminals committing them are putting innocent store employees and our communities in danger as well as increasing prices for consumers,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Working together, we’re committed to making Michigan a place where everyone can feel safe and secure. I commend our FORCE Team detectives and police partners for the impressive work they’re doing to identify criminals and investigate organized retail crime.”

Today’s roundtable featured participating representatives from major retail partners Kroger, Meijer, Ulta Beauty, and Walmart.

“As we work to ensure the safety of our team members and customers, and mitigate losses driven by organized retail crime offenders and groups, it’s never been more important for retailers to work collaboratively against this increasing threat,” said Paul Jaeckle, Vice President of Asset Protection at Meijer. “We appreciate the efforts and partnership with Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office and the Michigan FORCE team as we collectively deal with this growing concern.”

“Addressing organized retail crime is a critical priority for Ulta Beauty because it affects the wellbeing of our associates, our guests and the communities we serve,” said Dan Petrousek, SVP Loss Prevention, Ulta Beauty. “We firmly believe that collaboration across the private and public sector is essential to addressing organized retail crime, and we’re grateful to Attorney General Nessel and her team for inviting retailers to the table to share information and potential solutions. We’re feeling inspired and energized by today’s dialogue and we remain committed to working across the retail industry to ensure the safety of our stores and communities.”

“Walmart is proud of the strong partnership with Attorney General Nessel, the FORCE team, Michigan State Police, and other retailers as we work together to combat Organized Retail Crime,” said Edward Henkel, Senior Manager of Global Investigations for Walmart. “AG Nessel’s FORCE team is a national model for Walmart as we partner with law enforcement around the country. this FORCE team partnership is helping achieve our goal of keeping prices low so our customers and communities can live better.”

The FORCE Team is dedicated to working collaboratively with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. FORCE is an acronym, that stands for Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement. Recent corporate partners on investigations have included Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Lululemon, Ulta Beauty, and Lowe’s.

Local law enforcement agencies or retailers with evidence of organized retail fraud are encouraged to email the FORCE Team.

###

DNR News: Help your trees beat the summer heat

by orionontv | Jun 20, 2024 | Recreation

DNR News

June 20, 2024

Contact: Kevin Sayers, 517-582-3209, or Kerry Gray, 734-691-1806

A closeup of a person's hands using an orange bucket to water a small tree on a city street.

Help your trees beat the summer heat with a little water

If you planted any trees within the last couple of years, it may be time to bring out the garden hose. Hot summer conditions such as those Michigan is experiencing this week mean your newly planted trees will likely need a drink.

“If your trees are not getting at least 1 inch of rain per week, water them until regular rain returns,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry Program manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Deciduous trees – those that lose their leaves in fall – show drought stress through curling or drooping leaves. Leaves may “scorch,” or turn brown at the edges, fall off early or exhibit early fall color. Evergreen needles may turn yellow, then red or brown.

A sprinkler arcs streams of water droplets over a green suburban yard.

Watering and care tips

It’s important to water trees correctly. When watering, prioritize newly planted or high-value trees. Here are some tips:

Sprinkler: Place an empty container or rain gauge nearby while watering; stop when it measures about 1 inch of water.
Hand watering via hose: Let water run slowly until the ground is saturated 10-12 inches deep and moist near the base of small trees or at various points under the canopy of large trees.
5-gallon bucket: Most newly planted trees need 5 to 10 gallons of water each week, so give them a bucket or two.
Soaker or trickle hoses: These types of hoses provide slow watering. This is important to provide moisture deep into the soil, where roots need it most.
Don’t water during the middle of the day. Much of the water applied at the hottest or windiest time of day is immediately lost to evaporation.
Mist sprinklers aren’t effective for trees. As much as 70 percent of water may evaporate into the air.
Lay off the fertilizer. Fertilizer salts can injure tree roots when soil moisture is limited.
Try mulch. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and save water. Apply 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch under the tree canopy, around but not touching the base of the trunk. You want the finished mulch pile to look like a doughnut, not a volcano..
Check out MSU Extension’s guidance on watering.

Plant a tree recently? Pin it!

The DNR pledged to plant 50 million trees by 2030, but we need your help. After you plant, pin your new trees on the interactive map. You can also get tree planting and care tips on our Mi Trees challenge webpage.

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