Bringing back Michigan manufacturing
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Bringing down the cost of prescription drugs
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| Hi there,
The most important formative moment in my public service career was the moment my mom was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer and my family had to figure out how to pay for the care and prescriptions she needed. As a result, the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs is a deeply personal issue for me. I also know it has remained one of the most significant challenges faced by Michigan’s working families. I cannot say how many times I’ve been pulled aside by constituents back home worried about how they’re going to be able to pay for care. Accordingly, lowering healthcare and drug costs has remained one of my top priorities throughout my years in Congress. Over three terms, I’ve taken many votes and championed many bills aimed squarely at that goal. There are a couple of which I’m particularly proud that I would like to talk about: Major victories to lower costs in the Inflation Reduction Act In 2022, Congress passed – and I voted for – the Inflation Reduction Act, which was a landmark piece of legislation that covered a number of different issues, including healthcare costs. The healthcare provisions in the IRA were an incredible victory in a decades-long fight to lower costs that have and will continue to make a lasting difference for folks in Michigan and around the country. First, it finally allows Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, use its buying power to secure the best deal on prescriptions, and pass those savings on to its members. The first ten drugs selected for negotiations were announced last year, and in August it was announced that those negotiations will save Medicare beneficiaries billions on their prescriptions when the lower prices go into effect in the new year. Next, the IRA capped the price of insulin – a drug that those with diabetes depend on to live – for seniors on Medicare at $35 per month. Some of the most heart-wrenching stories of our drug cost crisis have come from those who have had to ration their insulin because they can’t afford more, and this cap will make that a thing of the past for those on Medicare. Getting bipartisan legislation signed into law One of my proudest achievements as a Member of Congress is the Real Time Benefits Act. Its story began in 2019 when I was hearing from constituents in my district loud and clear that they were really frustrated with the price of pharmaceuticals and how confusing it was to understand and compare the price of their prescriptions. Based on that feedback, I got to work on bipartisan legislation that required transparency for the cost of prescription drugs for those on Medicare Part D. I spoke with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who all felt that Americans deserve to comparison-shop for drugs – just as we do for any other product. The bill was signed into law by then President Trump at the end of 2020, and now Medicare Part D plan sponsors are offering real-time, personalized price comparison tools to patients and doctors. The tools are finally reaching patients – an important moment for so many constituents. I had the chance to meet with some of those constituents earlier this year after the tools the legislation created became available for use. It was truly a full circle moment. My career in Congress began with a commitment to lower healthcare and prescription drugs costs, and I can confidently say that commitment remains six years later. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we have made, but there’s plenty more work to do on our health care system, and I’m looking forward to finishing the job. – Rep. Elissa Slotkin |
Warnings About Holiday Scams Using Artificial Intelligence
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Shoppers encouraged to contribute to a loved ones’ future
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Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointment to the Bench
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointment to the Bench
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Reid Felsing to 56A District Court in Eaton County.
“I am proud to appoint Reid Felsing to the bench in Eaton County,” said Governor Whitmer. “With his years of experience as a magistrate, professor, and legal practitioner, I know he will uphold the rule of law and serve his community with distinction.”
56-A District Court – Eaton County
Reid Felsing started his legal career as the supervising attorney and public interest fellow for the Small Business and Nonprofit Clinic at MSU College of Law. After his fellowship, he joined Knaggs Brake, P.C., in Lansing, Michigan, working five years as an associate attorney. He continued teaching as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Lansing Community College. He also served as the magistrate at the 56A District Court in Eaton County.
Currently, he is the owner of The Law Office of Reid Felsing, established in 2017. He serves as a Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS) roster attorney, representing indigent clients throughout Michigan. He is also on the assigned counsel lists in Ingham and Eaton counties, and is admitted to practice before the Eastern District Court of Michigan and Western District Court of Michigan. He is a member of both the Ingham and Eaton County Bar Associations.
Reid Felsing holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saginaw Valley State University in political science and criminal justice, a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law, and an LL. M. in Corporate Law and Finance from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Whitmer for the opportunity to serve the people of Eaton County,” said Reid Felsing. “I am humbled to be in a role to serve my community as its district court judge.”
This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Julie A. O’Neill. Judge Felsing’s term will commence on January 6, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
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Transportation Safety, Keeping Kids Safe at the Bus
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Promoting Transportation Safety, Keeping Kids Safe at the Bus Stop and Protecting Construction Workers on Site These bipartisan bills work to keep Michiganders safe on the roads and reduce traffic accidents, saving people time and money
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed six bipartisan, commonsense bills which will make our roads safer for Michiganders across the state, whether they’re headed to school or clocking in for work. Governor Whitmer also signed a bill honoring Trooper Joel E. Popp who lost his life in the line of duty during a traffic stop. Each of these bills work to uphold transportation safety and reduce crashes, saving Michiganders’ lives, time, and money. Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,416 bipartisan bills into law since taking office.
“In Michigan, we’re focused on fixing the damn roads and making sure people are safe as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I’m proud to sign this set of commonsense, bipartisan bills that better protect safety on the road and will help us reduce crashes, save lives and put money back in people’s pockets. Whether they’re driving on them or working on them, these bills will make sure that every Michigander is safe on our roads.”
House Bills 4132 and 4133, sponsored by state Representative Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) and state Representative Mike Mueller (R-Linden), will work to reduce crashes and protect construction workers by implementing work zone safety cameras in marked areas of the road. Michigan will join 23 other states who currently use this technology that has been proven to reduce speeds and protect construction workers. In 2023 alone, MSP recorded over 8,000 construction work zone-related crashes with 24 fatalities in Michigan. By monitoring speed in our construction zones, this bill will help protect construction workers as they work to “fix the damn roads,” and reduce crashes.
“Maintaining Michigan’s roads is vital for our state’s economic development and success,” said state Representative Will Snyder (D-Muskegon), House Bill 4132 sponsor. “In order to accomplish this, we must first ensure that our road workers are safe while doing their jobs. This legislation will help combat speeding and reckless driving in construction zones, which will protect our essential road workers and drivers alike.”
“Fixing our road is a top priority in our state,” said state Representative Mike Mueller (R-Linden). “We must protect the workers that are on the front lines making that progress happen.”
House Bills 4928, 4929, and 4930, sponsored by state Representative Nate Shannon (D- Sterling Heights) and state Representative Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), will support Michigan schools and our kids’ education by allowing school buses to be equipped with a camera system that will track violations for failure to stop. The bill will allocate the funds raised from these violations to return to school districts and be used for transportation safety. These bills will better enforce the laws that keep children safe as they board and exit school busses, promoting community safety and supporting local school districts.
“As a former teacher, student safety matters a great deal to me. Far too many drivers ignore stop signals on school buses — putting children at risk. This legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to ensure kids’ safe travel to and from school,” said state Representative Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights). “We are sending a strong message by holding drivers accountable — student safety always comes first.”
“Riding the bus to school should be a safe and fun experience for our children, plain and simple,” said state Representative Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). “We’ve worked hard to discourage people from dangerously driving around school buses during the pick-up and drop-off period. We’ve put traffic laws and fines in place and now violators will not only pay fines, but schools will receive a portion of those fines that can be put to use back in the school district. Every step we take to make sure our kids get to and from school safely is a step in the right direction, putting them and their protection first.”
House Bill 5717, sponsored by state Representative Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), designates a portion of highway I-75 in Saginaw County as the Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway. This bill honors the memory of Joel E. Popp, a Michigan State Police Trooper who died in the line of duty while responding to a traffic accident in January 2024.
“It is a bittersweet day — it is a day of remembrance and honor. In May, our hometown tragically lost Trooper Joel E. Popp during a traffic stop,” said state Representative Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). “A portion of I-75 will now bear Popp’s name and recognize him, his work and his dedication as a trooper and as a family man — may he always be remembered.”
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