Oakland County Extends Free Rabies Vaccine with Dog License Purchase Through May 31

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/Healthinsurance

Governor Whitmer Encourages Michiganders to Get Covered, Save Money During the New HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox are encouraging Michiganders to take advantage of a new Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that now gives Michiganders the opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost health insurance in 2022.

“We know that having access to quality, affordable health insurance improves overall health outcomes for Michiganders,” said Governor Whitmer. “Expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare unites us. When I served in the Michigan Legislature, I worked across the aisle with a Republican governor to establish Healthy Michigan, expanding access to care to nearly one million Michiganders. This new enrollment opportunity will help more Michiganders find free or low-cost health insurance, enabling them to protect themselves and their families while keeping more of their hard-earned dollars in their pockets.”

“Many Michiganders now have free or low-cost health insurance thanks to increased enrollment opportunities and the American Rescue Plan, but many thousands more remain uninsured despite being eligible for significant out of pocket savings,” said DIFS Director Fox. “Free local enrollment help is available to help you take advantage of this new opportunity at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov. You can also contact DIFS, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 877-999-6442 for information about getting started.”

The new SEP went into effect last month and allows Michiganders the chance to enroll in Marketplace health coverage even if they don’t meet one of the traditional SEP qualifications. To qualify for the SEP, consumers must have a household income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is approximately $19,000 for an individual and $40,000 for a family of four. Michiganders at this income level will also qualify for an Advance Premium Tax Credit, which may make a Marketplace plan available to them at no- or low-cost.

To determine SEP eligibility, log on to the Health Insurance Marketplace, available at Healthcare.gov, and either start a new application or modify an existing one. Once the application is completed and a plan is selected, health coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. For example, if an application is completed and a health plan is selected on April 22, coverage will begin on May 1.

As a result of the American Rescue Plan, a recent report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services showed that Michiganders are seeing an average premium reduction of 45%, or more than $71 per month. This represents approximately $11.9 million in monthly savings for Michigan consumers. Nationwide more than half of consumers have found coverage for $10 or less per month on HealthCare.gov.

The last day to select a plan during this SEP is November 30, 2022, with coverage beginning December 1, 2022.

To review insurance options and enroll, visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). For more information on special enrollment periods, the 2022 Open Enrollment period that begins in November, and other ways to get covered, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 18, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Issues Proclamation Kicking Off Earth Week in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today proclaimed April 18-24 as Earth Week in Michigan, celebrating the administration’s record investments in water infrastructure, and our state and local parks, which will create jobs, boost our economy, and ensure that all families can safely enjoy Michigan’s natural features.

“On Earth Day, we recommit ourselves to protecting the planet we all love and call home,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am proud of the investments we have made to protect our Great Lakes, improve our parks, and preserve public land. Protecting our planet is on all of us, and we will continue working together to tackle climate change, invest in clean energy, and safeguard Pure Michigan for generations to come.”

Governor Whitmer is committed to defending our Great Lakes, mitigating the impacts of climate change on our communities, and creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in industries of the future. She understands the health of our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our people and our planet.

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has invested more resources into water infrastructure than the previous eight years combined. These investments support good-paying jobs and ensure every parent can give their kid a glass of drinking water and know it’s safe. She launched the MI Healthy Climate Plan to move all sectors of our economy to carbon neutral by 2050 and ensure marginalized communities impacted by climate change will benefit from our energy transition. The governor has made critical investments in our parks, trails, and public lands to create jobs, boost surrounding economies, and ensure that all families can enjoy “Pure Michigan.

Read more about Governor Whitmer’s accomplishments to protect Michigan’s natural resources:

Protecting Our Air, Land, and Water

View the full proclamation below:

ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN,

I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim

April 18-24, 2022

as

EARTH WEEK

WHEREAS, together, we can overcome environmental challenges and leave our future generations with cleaner air and water and a healthier environment; and,

WHEREAS, since April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated annually across the globe to confront our most pressing environmental issues and to unite around a shared mission of protecting the environment we live in and providing our future generations with a safe and sustainable future; and,

WHEREAS, Earth Day is a valuable opportunity to renew our commitment to preserving and protecting our Earth through community service, responsible stewardship, and daily practices; and,

WHEREAS, although we have made some progress over the years, the global community still faces challenges including climate change, environmental destruction, deforestation, and air and water pollution; and,

WHEREAS, each and every one of us can contribute to protecting and preserving the planet we share through individual acts such as making our next meal plant-based, using reusable bags, and reducing plastic waste; and,

WHEREAS, at a community level, we can adapt education systems to enhance climate and environmental literacy, advocate for climate action at our schools and workplaces, and volunteer at local environmental organizations; and,

WHEREAS, in 2020, my administration announced the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which aims to protect Michiganders’ public health and the environment and help develop new clean energy jobs by putting Michigan on a path towards becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050; and,

WHEREAS, during this week, and especially on Earth Day we should appreciate the planet we live on, recognize the many environmental issues we are facing, and recommit ourselves to doing our part to “Invest In Our Planet,” as this year’s Earth Day theme calls for;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 18-24, 2022 as Earth Week and April 22, 2022 as Earth Day in Michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

DIFS Consumer Hotline: 833-ASK-DIFS, [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Announces More than $900 Million in Auto Insurance Refunds Already Returned to Eligible Michiganders 

$3 billion in refunds to be sent out to eligible Michiganders by May 9, 2022

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that nearly a third of eligible Michiganders have already received their $400 auto refund checks from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) catastrophic fund surplus. According to data gathered by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), more than $906 million of the total $3 billion in surplus funds has been returned to Michigan drivers. Auto insurers have until May 9 to deliver the remaining $2.1 billion via checks or deposit to eligible drivers.

“Thanks to our bipartisan auto insurance reform, Michigan drivers are receiving $400 refund checks per vehicle. Already, more than $906 million has been put back into the pockets of Michiganders and into our economy, and another $2.1 billion is on the way,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We will continue working together to put Michigan drivers first. Keep an eye out for your $400 refund!”

“Ensuring that every eligible Michigander receives their refund check or ACH deposit as quickly as possible is a top priority for DIFS,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “If you are eligible for a refund and don’t receive it on or before May 9, or if your insurer offers your refund through something other than a paper check or ACH deposit, contact your company. If you cannot reach a resolution with your insurance company, call DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for assistance, or visit Michigan.gov/MCCArefund for more information.”

As a result of the cost controls, consumer protections, and other savings put into place by the state’s new bipartisan auto insurance law, the MCCA catastrophic fund had a $5 billion surplus as of June 2021. In November 2021, Governor Whitmer called on the MCCA to return the maximum amount of surplus funds back to Michigan drivers while ensuring the viability of the fund. After completing a data verification process, the MCCA transferred $3 billion to the Michigan insurers responsible for issuing refunds to eligible drivers, while retaining $2 billion of the surplus to ensure continuity of care for accident survivors. This transfer, initiated on March 9, triggered the 60-day deadline imposed by DIFS for insurers to issue refunds to eligible Michiganders.

To be eligible for a refund, Michiganders must have had a car, motorcycle, or RV that was insured to drive legally on Michigan roads as of 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31, 2021. The refunds are $400 per vehicle or $80 per historic vehicle and must be sent in the form of a paper check or an ACH deposit no later than May 9, 2022. do not need to do anything to receive their refund but they may wish to verify their address or banking information with their insurance company to prevent delays.

Eligible drivers who do not receive their refunds by the deadline should contact their auto insurer or agent. For questions or concerns that cannot be resolved directly by an auto insurer, contact DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or by emailing [email protected]. More information is available at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 13, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist II Statements on Shooting of Patrick Lyoya

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II issued the following statements on the shooting of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

“The Lieutenant Governor and I spoke with Patrick’s family and our hearts are with them and the Grand Rapids community who are dealing with unimaginable pain and loss. Patrick was 26. He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing violence. He had his whole life ahead of him. Patrick was a son, a dad of two young daughters, and an older brother to his five siblings.

“The Michigan State Police will conduct a transparent, independent investigation of the shooting.  Then, prosecutors must consider all the evidence, follow the law, and take appropriate action on charges. Justice is foundational to safety, and without justice, we are all less safe.

“Patrick’s father asked me to convey his hope that any demonstrations in his son’s honor remain peaceful, and as Governor I share this view. We must come together and build a future where Black Michiganders are afforded equal rights, dignity, and safety in our communities. I will never stop fighting to make Michigan a more equitable and just state.”

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II

“Governor Whitmer and I spoke to Patrick Lyoya’s family. They are feeling the deep pain that too many have felt, a terrible loss in a moment that feels all too sickeningly familiar. His father Peter described his son as a generous and caring man whom he wants to be remembered peacefully. Patrick was a loving father, a loyal friend, and a proud member of the Grand Rapids community who enjoyed sharing fellowship and culture with those around him.

“I am heartbroken by what we all have witnessed as a father, public servant, and a Black man. People are frustrated and hurting—searching for answers. Black people in Grand Rapids, in Michigan, and across the country are mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted from generations of struggle. Yet we press on. When we demonstrate and make our voices heard, we must do so in a way that lifts our call for justice beyond the deepening the pain of this community. We must never cease our efforts to reverse inequities, create systemic change, and guarantee justice for communities of color. We must recommit ourselves, through our words and deeds, to working together to build a more perfect union and a Michigan with equality and justice for all, where every interaction within our community, especially those with law enforcement, end with everyone able to return home to their families without harm.

“It is critical now to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to achieve justice, deliver accountability, and understand what happened, for Patrick Lyoya’s family as expeditiously as possible.”