Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 8, 2025

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid plans topic of October 20 meeting 

LANSING, Mich. – The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Monday, Oct. 20, about the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan’s Medicaid health plans known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an annual forum for the public, partners and interested parties to comment on the prescription list. This forum is in addition to the quarterly written public comment periods.

The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually via Zoom using the password SLVU14. Participants may also access the meeting by phone by dialing 408-961-3928 and entering access code 351013. Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing KrepsD@michigan.gov by Wednesday, Oct. 15.

MDHHS created the common formulary in 2016 to streamline drug coverage policies for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries and providers. The common formulary is required in state law and in the Medicaid health plan contract to ensure that prescription drugs are common across all contracted plans.

Medicaid health plans may be less restrictive – but not more restrictive – than the coverage in the common formulary for products not on the Michigan Preferred Drug List, which is a subset of the drugs listed on the common formulary.

As of Oct. 1, 2020, the common formulary coverage for products began aligning with the Michigan Preferred Drug List – including any prior authorization and step therapy requirements.

Find more information about the common formulary including the list of covered prescription drugs at Michigan.gov/MCOpharmacy.

If you need special services including ASL interpreters, written information in other formats or language translation services, email krepsd@michigan.gov no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, to allow sufficient time to set up arrangements.

Those unable to attend can submit questions or comments to the Common Formulary mailbox at MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov no later than Wednesday, Oct.15.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2025

CONTACT: Laina Stebbins, 517-241-2112, StebbinsL@michigan.gov

MDHHS warns of smoking and vaping fire risks
as part of Fire Prevention Month

LANSING, Mich. – In recognition of October as Fire Prevention Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Smoke-Free Housing Initiative is raising awareness about the critical role that smoking and vaping play in fire risks, in addition to the serious health issues they can cause.

Smoking remains the leading cause of fatal fires in Michigan, accounting for 48% in 2024 and 25% of all fire deaths so far in 2025. Of these, 11% are linked to smoking while on medical oxygen. These fires often start when smoking materials, like cigarettes or hot ashes, are left unattended or are not properly discarded, potentially causing furniture, bedding or trash to catch fire.

Fire Prevention Month coincides with the National Fire Prevention Association’s Fire Prevention Week that starts Sunday, Oct. 5. This year’s theme focuses on lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power e-cigarettes and vapes. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode if damaged or misused.

“Creating smoke-free and vape-free environments is not only a public health priority — it’s critical for fire safety,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “By increasing access to smoke-free housing and supporting Michigan residents who want to quit smoking or vaping, we can save lives and reduce fire-related deaths, injuries and property damage.”

The benefits of smoke-free housing include:

• Reduction in fire risk from smoking materials and e-cigarette lithium-ion batteries.
• Protection for residents from the harms of secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure.
• Lower cleaning and maintenance costs for homeowners and rental property managers.

Free smoke-free housing technical assistance and resources are available to support residents, property managers, public health partners and fire departments at Michigan.gov/SmokeFreeHousing. To learn safety tips to reduce the risk of house fires, visit MI Prevention.

Free tobacco and nicotine quit support is available through the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline at 1–877–44U–QUIT (1–877–448–7848).

For more tobacco information and resources, visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco.