McCall Hamilton Advocacy and Public Affairs

Updates About Executive Orders

Whitmer Signs Reproductive Freedom Directive

Update: Dec 12-23, 2022

On Wednesday, December 14, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2022-13 which instructs State of Michigan departments and agencies to prepare for the implementation of reproductive freedom in the Michigan Constitution. Departments and agencies are asked to review the aspects of reproductive rights that fall within their jurisdiction and identify ways they can protect and proactively increase protections for the fundamental right of reproductive healthcare.

Michigan voters approved Proposal 2022-3, which was on the November ballot. Proposal 3 will take effect on December 24.

Michigan Takes Action to Lower Insulin Cost

Update: Oct 3-14, 2022

On October 3, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive focused on lowering the cost of insulin.

Under the Directive, Governor Whitmer tasked various Michigan departments and agencies with determining the feasibility of lowering costs and taking action on holding drug companies accountable. State of Michigan departments are to search for options to reduce insulin costs, which include the development of lower-cost products and the establishment of manufacturing facilities to produce insulin in Michigan.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also voiced support for better access to insulin. Previously, her department took legal action in January to enforce the Michigan Consumer Protection Act against drug companies which she claims, “has been wrongly interpreted for too long.” The act prohibits unfair and deceptive practices such as raising the pricing of certain drugs. Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, commented on how reducing the cost of insulin will help improve the health of residents since high prices of insulin make access to care difficult to those who are trying to manage diabetes.

Prior to the Governor’s Executive Order, Senator Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) introduced two different resolutions urging Governor Whitmer and different state departments to take action to make insulin more accessible and affordable. Senate Resolution 170 was adopted by the Senate on September 28. Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 was referred to the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services.

912,794 Michiganders have been diagnosed with diabetes and have more than twice the medical expenses than those who do not suffer from the disease. The directive can be found here

Governor Signs Inflation Reduction Act Directive

Update: Sep 5-16, 2022

On September 6, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive titled ‘Lowering Costs for Families with the Inflation Reduction Act’, presented as an effort to utilize opportunities from the federally passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Executive Directive 2022-9 instructs state departments to identify ways to educate Michiganders on opportunities to lower costs on energy upgrades, electric vehicles, transportation, and prescription drug costs.

Under the directive, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) are expected to ensure that eligible residents have the information needed to apply and receive tax credits for health insurance purchased on the marketplace. MDHHS is also encouraged to continue efforts to decrease the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid recipients.