Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 20, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS recommends best practices to safely celebrate Halloween 

LANSING, Mich. – To keep Halloween a safe and fun holiday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering tips and tricks to keep loved ones safe and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Because many of our young Michiganders are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, we urge everyone to take precautions to participate safely,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “There are still ways to celebrate safely, and the MDHHS guidance provides tips for trick-or-treaters and their parents along with homeowners who wish to pass out treats.”

Tips for all persons include getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you are eligible (ages 12 and over), staying home if you are sick, wearing a mask that covers both the mouth and nose, washing hands often and/or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol, and coughing or sneezing into your elbow.

MDHHS also strongly advises adults and children ages 6 months and over to get their annual flu vaccine. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered in the same visit.

Tips for trick-or-treaters and parents:

• • Talk with children about Halloween safety and expectations.
  • Stay outdoors for activities, particularly if participants are not vaccinated.
  • Trick or treat in small groups.
  • Avoid congregating in groups around houses.
  • If indoors or in crowded outdoor settings, wear a face mask covering both mouth and nose (a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask).
  • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask if wearing both causes difficulty breathing. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

Tips for homeowners to consider:

• Distribute candy on a table to eliminate direct contact.
• Consider handing out candy in an open space where distancing is possible, rather than from the front door.
• Consider a neighborhood costume parade; it is an easy way to keep safe space between children.

To maximize protection from COVID-19 and flu, we recommend age-eligible children and adults get vaccinated as soon as possible. To find a vaccine location near you, visit VaccineFinder.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 20, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month in Michigan 

Average of 146 Michigan infants die every year due to unsafe sleep 

LANSING, Mich. – With an average of 146 sleep-related infant deaths per year in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared October Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month.

“As parents, grandparents and caregivers, it’s crucial for Michiganders to be aware of how to lay infants down to sleep in a safe environment,” Gov. Whitmer said. “This Safe Sleep Month, we must recommit ourselves to keeping infants safe as they sleep and working together to help them thrive as they grow up.”

Babies from birth to age 1 can be kept safe while sleeping at night and during naps when American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines are followed. Recommendations are to:

• Place baby on back, in a crib, bassinet or pack n’ play of their own with no other people for every sleep time.
• Use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet.
• Keep baby’s sleep space clutter-free – no pillows, blankets, or toys.
• Avoid covering baby’s head or overheating. Instead of a blanket, use a sleep sack, wearable blanket or footed sleeper to keep baby warm.
• Remind everyone, who cares for baby, including babysitters and family members, how to keep baby safe while sleeping.
• Keep baby in a smoke-free environment.
• Support breastfeeding and immunizations.

“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) wants to educate all parents and caregivers about the importance of safe sleep. It can save your baby’s life,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive.

In the 10-year-period ending in 2019, Michigan lost 1,436 babies to sleep-related deaths, including 149 in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available.

“Safe sleep is always best,” said Carole Hittinger of Ypsilanti, a mother of two who volunteers on the state’s Infant Safe Sleep Action Committee and the Washtenaw County Safe Sleep Task Force. Her son, Jose Anthony, died at the age of 2 ½ months when he was entrapped in the blankets while co-sleeping.

“When you sleep with your child and you wake up the next morning and everyone’s OK, that’s you getting lucky,” Hittinger said. “At some point your luck is going to run out. Things can go so bad.”

In addition to following the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, MDHHS encourages parents to make sure their babies are sleeping in a safe product.

In the last few years, several infant products have been recalled because of infant deaths – inclined sleepers a few years ago and newborn lounger pillows just a few weeks ago.

To check for recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov. Anyone can sign up to get emails when products are recalled. Parents and caregivers should stop using any product that has been recalled. They can use the checklist Is this Infant Safe Sleep? to determine if a product is safe for infant sleep.

Parents can make sure unsafe products get taken off the market by reporting them to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“Michigan babies have died in unsafe products,” Bagdasarian said. “Just because a product is advertised and sold for infant use, that doesn’t mean it’s a safe place for infants to sleep. The Consumer Product Safety Commission can’t identify hazardous products unless the public reports them. Anyone can report a concern, whether it’s an injury, death, or a ‘near miss.’ It takes all of us to make sure babies are sleeping safely.”

To learn more about infant safe sleep, visit Michigan.gov/SafeSleep or contact the Infant Safe Sleep Program at MDHHS-InfantSafeSleep@michigan.gov. To view data related to sleep-related infant deaths, visit Keepingkidsalive.org/publications. Report unsafe products at www.saferproducts.gov.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 19, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-214-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS urges residents to get flu vaccine during upcoming season

State sets goal of vaccinating 4 million Michiganders

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging Michiganders to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their communities from flu especially while continuing to battle COVID-19.

Getting a flu vaccine is critical this season because flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will likely be spreading simultaneously. Importantly, residents are able to get their COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as their flu vaccine. According to the CDC, those who are at higher risk for contracting flu are also at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19. Vaccinations for both COVID-19 and the flu are safe, effective strategies to protect ourselves and our communities from illness.

“I encourage every Michigander to get their flu shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Last year, 3.5 million Michiganders got flu shots, and this year, I know that we can meet MDHHS’s statewide goal by bringing that number up to 4 million. Over the last 18 months, we’ve all seen just how critical vaccines are to keeping people safe from disease, and I want to thank every Michigander who has received their COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot. I have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and received my flu shot last week, and I hope you do too.”

The flu vaccine is the best way to reduce risk from the seasonal flu and its potential serious complications. Each year flu vaccination reduces the burden of influenza significantly in the United States preventing millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.

Last flu season, approximately 3.5 million people in Michigan received a flu vaccine as reported to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). The state has set a goal of vaccinating a total of 4 million Michiganders for the 2021-2022 flu season.

“Everyone aged 6 months and up is recommended to receive a flu vaccination with rare exceptions, and we encourage them to do so as soon as possible,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “There is an ample supply of flu vaccine available in many convenient locations from primary care providers to local pharmacies. We know these vaccines are safe and they protect vulnerable Michiganders.”

The 2020-2021 flu season was unique in many ways, resulting in historically low flu activity for the entire season. Public health professionals indicate that community mitigation measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic such as masking and social distancing and influenza vaccination could have contributed to the below average amount of influenza cases last season.

However, during a typical flu season like the 2019-2020 flu season, the nation recorded 39 to 56 million estimated cases of the flu, 18 to 26 million medical visits due to the flu and nearly half a million flu hospitalizations. Despite its comparison to the common cold, the flu is a very serious and potentially deadly disease, especially for children, older people and people with chronic health conditions.

Flu vaccines are available now at local health departments, physician offices and pharmacies around the state. Find a location near you using the Vaccine Finder. Visit Michigan.gov/flu for more information or visit IVaccinate.org to find answers to your vaccine questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 14, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

Improvements to Michigan’s Bridge Card system to cause temporary shutdown of system
late Saturday, early Sunday

LANSING, Mich. – Michiganders who use Bridge Cards to buy food or use cash assistance benefits will be unable to do so late Saturday and early Sunday while a system upgrade is implemented that will provide easier access to benefits.

The Bridge Card system will be down from approximately 11 p.m., Saturday to 11 a.m., Sunday. Residents who receive food assistance, cash assistance and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits loaded on the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards will not be able to redeem them during those hours. They can use the same cards beginning again at 11 a.m., Sunday without any effect on their benefits. Benefit balance information for all programs will be available at 11 a.m. and the transactional history will be available by 3 p.m.

“These system changes will improve access to food and cash assistance because clients now will be able to use a mobile app that was not previously available,” said Lew Roubal, MDHHS senior deputy director for opportunity. “We apologize for any inconvenience and chose a timeframe with low Bridge Card activity to make this transition.”

System upgrades involve a switch to Fidelity Information Systems (FIS), a Florida-based technology services company, which will be the new Electronic Benefit Transfer provider for MDHHS. The system needs to be shut down during the transition from the previous vendor. This is the next step from a previous attempt to switch systems in August, when technical issues created delays. MDHHS expects a smooth transition this coming weekend.

Bridge Card holders will continue to use the www.michigan.gov/MIBridges  website and call the toll-free number on the back of their card.

Clients who are interested in viewing their account status and transaction data online will be required to create a profile on the Food and Nutrition Service cardholder site. Food and cash assistance clients can access the new ebtEDGE mobile app for use on Android devices in the Google store or IOS devices in the Apple store. WIC clients already have had access to a mobile app.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 13, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

Additional October emergency food assistance benefits related to pandemic to be issued

LANSING, Mich. – All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits are receiving an additional monthly payment in October in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today.

More than 1.25 million Michiganders in close to 700,000 households will receive additional food assistance benefits.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from Oct. 23 through Nov. 1. These benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

“Helping families address food insecurity during the pandemic is one of MDHHS’s top priorities,” said Lewis Roubal, senior deputy director for opportunity. “With help from our federal partners, we are helping families put more nutritious food on the table.”

Some Michiganders began receiving additional food assistance in April 2020 after the beginning of the pandemic that started the month before. In May 2021, all eligible households began getting extra monthly benefits. Federal approval is necessary every month.

All households eligible for SNAP receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received over $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size: 

• One Person: $250
• Two Persons: $459
• Three Persons: $658
• Four Persons: $835
• Five Persons: $992
• Six Persons: $1,190
• Seven Persons: $1,316
• Eight Persons: $1,504

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 11, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid Health Plans topic of Oct. 18 meeting

LANSING, Mich. – The public is invited to attend an Oct. 18 meeting regarding the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan’s Medicaid health plans.

This list is known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary.

The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan common formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon using Microsoft Teams.

Attendees can join on Teams or for audio only call 248-509-0316, Conference ID 131 416 299#.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in 2016 created the common formulary 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.

Effective 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. This initiative has resulted in significant savings to the State of Michigan and has further streamlined and maintained consistency of drug coverage across Managed and Fee-For-Service Medicaid.

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

“MDHHS wants Michigan Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan to meet the health needs of residents who are enrolled in these programs,” said Kate Massey, MDHHS senior deputy director for Medical Services Administration and Medicaid director. “We value what they have to say – as well as what providers and other stakeholders have to say.

This feedback is valuable as we make decisions about how to improve the health of Michiganders.”

Anyone who plans to attend should notify [email protected] no later than Thursday, Oct. 14 and is asked to request special accommodations if needed to join the meeting. Find more information about the common formulary, including the list of covered prescription drugs, at michigan.gov/MCOpharmacy.

Anyone unable to attend can submit questions or comments to the Common Formulary mailbox at MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov.