News & Notes From Around Town

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ROCHESTER, Mich. – Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-8) today called on her general election opponent to condemn the Trump administration lawsuit that would destroy the Affordable Care Act, including its protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Slotkin was joined by Dianne Byrum, director of Protect Our Care Michigan, and by two 8th District residents who shared their stories of what’s at stake if the ACA is dismantled: Sarah Stark, a diabetic and activist on prescription drug prices, and Keith Van Houten, the father of a son with muscular dystrophy.

“For more than eight months we’ve had Republican challengers competing against one another for the nomination in the 8th District,” Slotkin said. “And at no time during those eight months did we have a candidate answer a very basic and simple question: Do you support the Trump administration’s lawsuit to undermine the Affordable Care Act and its protections, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions?”

Slotkin also called on her Republican challenger, Paul Junge, to support passage of legislation passed in the House to reduce drug costs, including provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug costs, and to refuse donations from corporate PACs as she has done, including pharmaceutical industry PACs.

“I certainly would support a real, honest conversation about the differences between myself and Mr. Junge on protecting people with pre-existing conditions, lowering the cost of healthcare for all Americans and creating transparency and lower prices on prescription drugs.”

To date, Junge has not taken a public position on the Trump administration’s lawsuit now before the U.S. Supreme Court. In June, the administration filed a legal brief in the case calling for the full dismantling of the Affordable Care Act, and specifically cited its protections for pre-existing conditions as provisions that should be invalidated. Oral arguments before the Supreme Court are expected this fall.

“We don't know his position on healthcare,” Byrum said. “Will Mr. Junge disavow President Trump and Republicans in Congress on their attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act?”

Sarah Stark, who accompanied Slotkin to the 2020 State of the Union Address and advocates for fellow diabetics struggling with the high cost of insulin, said people like her with health conditions are deeply concerned about the outcome of the election: “It’s something that’s on our minds when we go into the voting booth: who cares about our health care and who doesn't.” 

Van Houten said his son has healthcare expenses of $100,000 a year, including $85,000 in drug costs, plus use of an expensive wheelchair. 

“He is exactly who insurers want to exclude from their insurance pools,” Van Houten said. “Prior to the ACA, that’s exactly what insurers did.”

On the Trump administration lawsuit, Van Houten said: “It scares the hell out of me and my family.”

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-164 which requires face coverings to be worn in all child-care centers and camps. Michigan has seen COVID-19 outbreaks at these locations, adding to the mounting evidence that children can contract and spread the virus. By requiring face coverings, child-care centers and camps can remain open while keeping children and staff members safe.   

“Child-care workers have been on the front lines of this crisis and have worked tirelessly to provide a safe place for our children and families during this time. COVID-19 is still a very real threat to Michiganders of all ages, and we must continue to stay vigilant and use every tool at our disposal to protect ourselves and each other,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am committed to doing everything in my power to protect people of all ages from COVID-19. By masking up, we can all be a part of the solution to further prevent the spread of the virus and save lives.”  

“Masks continue to be one of the best ways to contain the spread of COVID-19, and they can be safely worn by most of us over the age of two,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and MDHHS chief deputy for health. “Be a role model for your children and demonstrate the importance of wearing a mask. Have your child practice properly wearing a mask – over their nose, mouth and chin – while they are at home so they are comfortable with it in public. It will take all of us, of all ages, doing our part to continue slowing the spread of this disease and to protect our families and communities.”

Executive Order 2020-164 requires all staff and children ages 2 and up to wear a face covering on a school bus or other transportation. Additionally, all staff and children ages 4 and up must wear a face covering in all indoor common spaces. All staff and all children 12 and older are required to wear a face covering when in classrooms, homes, cabins, or similar indoor small-group settings. The governor also strongly encourages that all children ages 2 and up wear face coverings when indoors. These rules align with the existing rules on face coverings that already apply to preK-12 schools across Michigan.  

If a child-care center is located in a region in Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan, face coverings are not required, but are still strongly recommended. Furthermore, face coverings are not required for any child who cannot medically tolerate it, during meal time, while swimming, during high-intensity activities, outside while physically distanced, or if a child is under the age of 2.  

Child-care centers and camps may use facilities that are otherwise closed under Executive Order 2020-160. Furthermore, child-care centers and camps must follow additional guidelines on infection control as determined by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.  

The governor also extended Executive Order 2020-146 until August 15, 2020.