A federal judge has signed an order that preserves full coverage for preventive services in health insurance plans. This includes vital screenings for certain cancers and access to HIV prevention drugs.

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling partially halts a previous ruling made by U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Conner. While the nationwide impact is not immediate, it protects approximately 150 million individuals who rely on preventive care during the ongoing legal proceedings.

The ruling made by O’Conner in March jeopardized free screenings for conditions like depression, diabetes, and heart health, potentially burdening families with increased costs and endangering the health of millions. The agreement recognizes the limitations in shielding parties from penalties if the ruling is overturned, and the government has agreed not to enforce penalties for non-compliance with preventive care recommendations.

On June 12, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Michigan would receive $338 million following the state’s role in the Walgreens National Opioid Settlement.

The state is expected to receive $200 million over 15 years with an additional $138 million allocated over 18 years. These funds are in addition to previous national settlements from other opioid distributors and manufacturers, which brings the total allocation to approximately $1.6 billion.

Governor Whitmer, Elizabeth Hertel, and other state officials attended an open house on June 5 to celebrate the completion of the new Caro Psychiatric Hospital.

This $85 million Caro Psychiatric Hospital is replacing the current Caro Center, which opened in 1914 as the Caro Farm Colony for Epileptics, and was the only residential treatment facility in the state of Michigan for individuals with seizure disorders until 1997.

The facility will house 100 inpatient beds and the facility is expected to offer more options for Michigan families in need of behavioral health care services. Caro will now be one of five residential psychiatric hospitals in the state.

Beginning on June 30, Michigan will enact a new “hands-free” distracted driving law. While Michigan currently has a law against texting and driving, this new law will include stricter guidelines on what the phone can be used for while operating a vehicle.

In addition to texting, this law will prohibit drivers from holding their cell phone while making a call, recording or watching videos, and using social media while driving. A campaign raising awareness of this new law is expected in the near future.

This law does not include using a screen on the dashboard for changing music and navigation, mounts for cell phones, and making emergency calls. This law also does not include CB radios, two-way radios, and insulin pumps.

¶JUNE 16th

• Sen. Klinefelt 10:00, Fraser Public Library, 16330 14 Mile Rd, Fraser
• Rep. Miller 10:00, Romulus Public Library
• Rep. Rogers 9:00, Davis Street Park, Kalamazoo

¶JUNE 19th

• Rep. Farhat 5:30, Biggby Coffee, Michigan Ave, Dearborn

¶JUNE 23rd

• Rep. Morse 9:30, Portage MI Senior Center
• Sen. Klinefelt 11:00, Clinton-Macomb Public Library (Joint w/ Sen. Hertel)
• Sen. Hertel 11:00, Clinton-Macomb Public Library (Joint w/ Sen. Klinefelt)
• Rep. Rheingans 4:00, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales + Kitchen, Dexter
• Rep. VanWoerkom 11:30, Crockery Twp Hall, Nunica

¶JULY 1st

• Rep. Haadsma 9:00, Mr. Don’s, Springfield
• Rep. Haadsma 1:00, Stirling Books & Brew, Albion

¶JULY 10th

• Rep. Coffia 9:05, Long Lake Twp Hall, Traverse City
• Rep. Coffia 1:00, Red Door Café, 19631 Maple St, Lake Ann
• Rep. Coffia 3:00, Leelanau County Gvt Center, Suttons Bay

¶JULY 14th

• Sen. Cherry 10:00, Flushing Senior Center

¶JULY 17th

• Sen. Klinefelt 12:30, Peace Manor, Clinton Twp

¶JULY 28th

• Rep. Morse 10:30, Oshtemo Charter Twp, Kalamazoo

¶AUGUST 5th

• Rep. Haadsma 9:00, Mr. Don’s, Springfield
• Rep. Haadsma 1:00, Stirling Books & Brew, Albion

¶AUGUST 14th

• Rep. Coffia 9:05, Long Lake Twp Hall, Traverse City
• Rep. Coffia 1:00, Red Door Café, 19631 Maple St, Lake Ann
• Rep. Coffia 3:00, Leelanau County Gvt Center, Suttons Bay

¶AUGUST 25th

• Rep. Morse 10:30, Portage Zhang Senior Center

Contact Kim Vitale - kim@mccallhamilton.com for additional information