Updates About Press Releases

According to state Attorney General Dana Nessel, every state and territorial attorneys general in the United States (55 in total) has unanimously agreed to sign onto a $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, over their role in the country’s opioid crisis. The agreement, which would resolve years of litigation, marks the largest settlement to date involving names associated with causing the epidemic. It would permanently end the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and bar them from future opioid sales anywhere in the nation.

Michigan could receive up to $154 million over 15 years to fund addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, with most of the funds distributed in the first three years. Nessel highlighted the progress Michigan has already made from previous settlements with over $1.6 billion secured during her tenure, contributing to a 34% drop in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024. Final approval of the Purdue settlement now depends on bankruptcy court proceedings and local government participation.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking applications for its Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Program, which funds projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for nursing home residents. Eligible organizations, including hospitals, academic institutions, nursing facilities, and nonprofit groups, can apply for grants to support innovative programs that go beyond standard care requirements. A total of $5 million is available for projects running from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

Interested applicants must register for the EGrAMS system and request an application by May 16 at 5 pm, with completed applications due by May 22 at 3 pm. MDHHS will also host a pre-application conference on April 8 at 1:30 pm to provide guidance on the grant process. For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS Health and Aging Services Administration website.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has introduced the Michigan Public Health Data Dashboard, an interactive tool providing public health insights by State House and State Senate districts. This resource offers key health metrics, including mortality rates, blood lead levels, smoking trends, teen births, housing costs, prenatal care, and more. This data is available to assist in making informed decisions about resource allocation and health policy.

The dashboard enables users to compare district data against statewide averages and will continue to expand with additional metrics. The tool is publicly accessible at Michigan.gov/HealthStatistics.