McCall Hamilton Advocacy and Public Affairs

Updates About Press Releases

MDHHS Promotes New Crisis Hotline

Update: Oct 3-14, 2022

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is promoting Michigan’s new crisis hotline as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The hotline provides 24/7 live one-on-one crisis support for victims and survivors, as well as support people and professionals. The hotline is free and provides local support through trained advocates who are available to call, text, or chat online. All hotline services can be accessed here.

Michigan Attorney General Joins Coalition to Support ACA

Update: Oct 3-14, 2022

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 23 attorneys general in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) regarding a new proposed rule that seeks to enforce Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, age, disability and literacy.

Since its inception in 2016 under the Obama Administration, the rule enforcing Section 1557 has been subject to ongoing litigation. It was most recently rewritten, and effectively weakened, by President Trump in 2020. The proposed rule under the Biden Administration, revises the Trump-era interpretation, and aims to largely reinstate significant aspects of the original 2016 rule.

Among other things, the proposed rule would apply prohibitions against discrimination under Section 1557 to many health insurers and third-party administrators, as well as providers who receive payment through the Medicare Part B program. That includes discrimination against various minority groups, including communities of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, people with pregnancy-related conditions, and people with limited English proficiency.

Federal Judge Declares Mistrial in Flint Water Trial

Update: Aug 8-19, 2022

On August 11, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Grand of the Eastern District of Michigan U.S. District Court ruled a mistrial in the Flint Water Civil Trial after the jury shared it was unable to come to an agreement on a verdict in the case. The hung jury stated that continued deliberations would cause stress and anxiety with someone having to surrender their vote for the purpose of having a verdict.

The trial involved four plaintiffs, all of which are children, against defendants of engineering firms Veola North America (VNA) and Lockwood, Andrews, & Newnam (LAN). The plaintiffs lived in Flint during the water contamination crisis and attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that LAN was responsible for 25 percent of the crisis while VNA was responsible for 50 percent, with both companies negligent in giving fault advice to the city. The rest was placed on the state and former state officials. LAN and VAN argued the state and city officials were to blame.

In total, the trial lasted 76 days and had 45 people testify in the case.