Choze Powell

Additional Food Assistance Extended

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during February as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance beginning in March 2020 – and now it is being extended for February 2021 with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Feb. 28, with payments beginning for some households on Feb. 18. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:

  • One Person: $234
  • Two Persons: $430
  • Three Persons: $616
  • Four Persons: $782
  • Five Persons: $929
  • Six Persons: $1,114
  • Seven Persons: $1,232
  • Eight Persons: $1,408

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Submitted by MDHHS

Jim Wilson Retiring as GM of Blue Water Transit

James L. “Jim” Wilson, the General Manager of Blue Water Area Transit (BWAT), is retiring March 1st, 2021 after 30-plus years of service with the organization and 41 years in public transportation.  

Under Jim’s leadership and direction, Blue Water Area Transit has grown tremendously from a small, urban bus system of 21 buses and 44 employees to a full-service county-wide transportation system with 90 buses and 130 employees.  

Jim’s many accomplishments have brought millions of dollars of public transportation  funding to St Clair County. The development of the downtown Blue Water Area Bus Center, a $9.8  million project, has greatly enhanced the downtown area of Port Huron. The main bus facility, a  state-of-the-art maintenance facility on Lapeer road, was constructed with $15 million of federal and  state funding.  

The St Clair County community and environment have benefited from Jim’s clean energy  philosophy. The Blue Water Area Transit fleet of buses is totally powered by Compressed Natural  Gas starting back to 1997. Also, BWAT recently secured a federal grant for two electric buses. This was the first grant awarded in the state of Michigan to public transportation for electric buses. 

Jim began his public transit career in 1980, as an auditor for the southeast Michigan SMART  Transit system. Jim became General Manager of BWAT in 1990. In 1994 he facilitated a separation  of St. Clair County from the SMART system and established the current BWAT system.  

Jim greatly enhanced the BWAT system in 1997 with the consolidation of 11 St. Clair  County agencies’ transportation services. These agencies include Community Mental Health, the  Council On Agency, the Community Action Agency, Community Enterprises, the YMCA and  others. With this achievement, Jim has brought millions of federal and state dollars to St. Clair  County each year.

During Wilson’s 30-plus years, BWAT provided over 25 million rides. The average monthly  rider trips more than doubled during that time.  

Jim’s successful grant writing skills, his consolidation of community services and his  outstanding staff development have positioned BWAT for a successful future in public transportation  in St. Clair County. 

Linda Bruckner, board president said, “Where public transportation goes, communities grow  and Jim Wilson’s dedication and leadership to public transportation in St. Clair County greatly  reflects that.” 

“St. Clair County is a much better place thanks to Jim Wilson,” she continued. 

We congratulate Jim on his retirement and thank him for his many years of service to St.  Clair County.

Submitted by Blue Water Area Transit

Beeler Wants Answers from Governor

LANSING – State Representative Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron) today voiced his frustration with the lack of specifics given by Governor Whitmer’s administration regarding how the decision to close schools and athletics were made in the past – and how those decisions will be made going forward – in the face of mounting data which suggests the dangers to school-aged children are significantly lower than originally feared.

“The governor has repeated over and over that her administration is making decisions based on science,” Beeler said, “Michigan citizens deserve to know what criteria she is using to determine when these seemingly never-ending shutdowns are going to end.”

The Michigan House and Senate today held a joint meeting of their respective committees on Education where Beeler appeared annoyed by the lack of concrete metrics the administration would use to justify future shutdowns.

“Based on today’s hearing, I am convinced that the governor’s unilateral actions are based on criteria beyond merely ‘science and data’,” Beeler said.

According to the governor’s own statistics, less than two dozen people aged 24 and younger have died from COVID-19 or other causes related to COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.  Meanwhile, many mental health experts have warned the negative long-term effects associated with the governor’s shutdowns will be felt for many years to come.

Official statistics can be found here: Covid-19 By Age at Death (state.mi.us).

Submitted by the office of Rep. Andrew Beeler

Vaccine Pre-Registration System FAQs

According to a statement from Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department, almost 10,000 people have signed up on the county’s new vaccine pre-registration system. The Health Department wants the community to know that it is working on some technical issues, and they have already had their first vaccine clinic under the new system.

Here are the FAQs for the Vaccine Pre-registration System:

  1. What is the phone number, text code or email address that will accompany the notification? St. Clair County Vaccine Distribution. The caller ID may identify as a Massachusetts phone number. Looking into updating with a local number
    Phone: (781) 373-9800; Text ID: 88911; Email from: St. Clair County Vaccine Distribution. The caller ID may identify as a Massachusetts phone number. Looking into updating with a local number.
  1. How do I know I signed up properly in the system? You will not receive a message stating you are pre-registered. Create a user name and password to sign up. Complete the fields, save all pages and hit finalize at the end. Working on updating this.
  1. Can I go back in and edit my account information? It appears the system tracks the date of your last entry and may move you from your original placement if you make changes. Be as accurate as possible when signing up. Working on updating this.
  1. What if I registered multiple people using the same contact information (phone number, email)? Each person registered should receive a separate confirmation. The appointment confirmation will list first name, last name, appointment date/time and clinic location. It will arrive via the method(s) you selected to receive notifications. Whatever method you confirm first on accepts the invitation. Option 1= yes to confirm; Option 2 = Not available at this time; Option 3 = No longer need my appointment.
  1. What if I missed my window to confirm my appointment? Each person has one hour to respond. If you missed your window, you will be contacted as soon as the next appointment becomes available. You do not lose your placement and will be notified again. Please do not show up at a clinic if you did not receive a confirmation.
  1. When will you send out notifications? Notifications should typically occur during regular business hours.
  1. Who can sign up/pre-register? All individuals living or working in St. Clair County can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine on the health department’s website www.scchealth.co click on the “Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine” link. Again, this is a pre-registration system only, or a placeholder.

Only individuals in the current priority groups will receive a notification when an appointment become available. This is all dependent on vaccine supply, which currently remains limited. Therefore, it will take time to move through the list. Thank you for your patience.

For seniors 65 and older needing assistance with the online pre-registration process options include:

  • Asking a family member, friend or neighbor for help
  • Council on Aging/Call 1-800-297-0099 or your local senior center
  • Dial 211 for assistance
  • Please DO NOT contact COA or 211 for technical assistance or for updates.

 

New Permanent Exhibit at Port Huron Museum Celebrates Black History in the Blue Water Area

The Port Huron Museum Carnegie Center has been getting some interior renovations, and a new permanent exhibit celebrating Black History in the Blue Water Area will have it’s soft opening this weekend.

The From Whence We Came: Black History in the Blue Water Area exhibit will be housed on the main floor of the Carnegie Center and feature many artifacts donated or loaned to the museum. The centerpiece of the exhibit will be the James Sr & Marguerite Stanley Legacy Wall which honors those who have made lasting contributions to the Port Huron community.

James Sr. and Marguerite Stanley devoted their lives to the Port Huron area and are known for their deep love for the city. The Legacy Wall named in their honor recognizes living heroes of the community who have made contributions in the areas of education, civil/public service, business, athletics, science/healthcare, entertainment, literature, and media.

The inaugural inductees for the Stanley Legacy Wall are: Marguerite Stanley, Ila Shoulders, KC Norman, Marcia Hogan, Rev. Alex Crittenden, Yvonne Malachi, James E. Jones, and an Honorable Mention- Gretchen Ploeger.

The soft opening of the new exhibit will take place on February 13th and be open during normal Carnegie Center Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Insurers Extend No Cost COVID Testing and Treatment

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) have announced that the state has secured agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurers to extend their commitments to waive all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and treatments. These agreements cover more than 92% of the commercial health insurance market in Michigan.

“As we continue working to combat this global pandemic and save lives, the very last thing that Michiganders should have to worry about is whether their health insurance will cover the costs of their care,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m pleased that these agreements with health insurers will be extended to ensure Michigan residents everywhere can equitably access COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations as we work together to end this pandemic.”

As an extension of previous agreements, consumers with individual and group health plans listed below will not be charged cost-sharing, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, for medically appropriate COVID-19-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, diagnostic testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and approved medications and vaccines.

“Eliminating financial barriers to getting care helps Michiganders focus on prevention and getting well, not on how they are going to pay medical bills,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “Protecting Michiganders’ health and financial wellness during this pandemic continues to be our top priority, and I am grateful that so many of Michigan’s health insurers have agreed to continue to do their part.”

The insurers who have agreed to waive cost-sharing are:

  • Aetna (expires February 28, 2021)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network (expires March 31, 2021)
  • HAP, Alliance Health (expires March 31, 2021)
  • McLaren Health Plan (expires March 31, 2021)
  • Meridian Health Plan (expires April 21)
  • Molina Healthcare Michigan (expires March 31, 2021)
  • Oscar (expires March 31, 2021)
  • Physicians Health Plan (PHP) (expires June 30, 2021)
  • Priority Health, Priority Health Insurance Co. (expires March 31, 2021)

Federal law requires health insurers to provide no-cost coverage for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, though not necessarily for COVID-19 treatment, during the federal public health emergency, which is currently set to expire on April 21, 2021. Consumers with Medicaid or Medicare may also receive a no-cost COVID-19 test, vaccination, and related services provided by a health care provider.

Consumers with coverage from an insurer not named in the state agreement, such as Humana, Paramount, or United should contact their insurance company to find out about their coverage before incurring costs.

DIFS can help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints and can provide information about the upcoming Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period that will be open from Feb. 15 through May 15. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.

Submitted by the office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer