Updates About Lower Court Rulings

The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled to uphold the constitutionality of Michigan’s Newborn Screening Program, allowing our state to continue one of its most critical public health efforts. This decision came when the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling and confirmed that the state’s collection and use of de-identified newborn blood samples, used to screen for over 50 potentially life-threatening conditions, does not infringe on constitutional rights. The ruling also protects the BioTrust for Health, a research initiative that supports medical advancement through the use of privacy-protected samples.

Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel both praised the decision as a win for families across the state. Since its launch in 1965, the Newborn Screening Program has enabled early diagnosis and treatment for thousands of Michigan infants who might otherwise have gone undiagnosed. With the court’s ruling, the program can continue to detect rare disorders in their earliest stages— when intervention is most effective— while also supporting responsible medical research that may benefit future generations.

Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, have been ordered to stand trial on numerous felony charges related to misuse of public, campaign, and nonprofit funds. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that the charges stem from a lengthy investigation revealing what her office describes as a series of elaborate financial ploys intended to personally benefit Chatfield during his time in office.

Lee Chatfield faces a total of 13 felony counts, including charges of conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement from nonprofit and public funds, conspiracy to embezzle, and violations of the Charitable Trust Act. The allegations include false reimbursement claims, personal credit card payments made with nonprofit funds, and the misuse of political action committee contributions through a check kickback scam.

Stephanie Chatfield is charged with one count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement. Follow along to find out when a pretrial date has been set.

Michigan Court of Claims judge Sima Patel has found that several abortion laws, including a 24-hour waiting period prior to undergoing the procedure, violate the Reproductive Freedom for All constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022. Other restrictions that she ruled against include requiring patients to receive state-directed counseling and limiting the abortion procedure to be provided only by physicians. Patel determined that these laws imposed unconstitutional burdens on patients seeking care. Under the ruling, physician assistants and nurse practitioners may now offer these services. Judge Patel’s rulings went into effect on May 13th.