George James

Beeler Introduces Bill to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, has introduced a bill that would push down prescription drug costs by removing co-pay and deductible irregularities.

Beeler said, “I am extremely proud to sponsor this legislation which will actually reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Michigan families. Anytime I can help give patients more control over their healthcare decisions, I’m happy to do so.”

The bill is part of a larger health care package that focuses on patients. According to Beeler, his bill, House Bill 4345, prohibits insurance companies from penalizing consumers when they go out of network to get cheaper drugs. Shopping around for lower prices on medications can often have a detrimental effect on co-pays or out-of-pocket deductibles.

Beeler commented, “I support lowering prescription drug costs without creating bloated government bureaucracies. This is a great example of how we as elected officials can help cut costs without spending taxpayer dollars in the process.”

The Bill has been introduced and read and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Limits on Gatherings Loosened Up Starting Friday

Starting Friday, restaurants can increase their capacity from 25% to 50% with safety protocols still in place. Indoor residential gatherings with up to 15 people from three households are allowed, and indoor entertainment facilities can operate at 50% capacity to have up to 300 people if following safety protocols.

The ruling also allows for small groups such as city councils and boards to meet in person with a 25-person limit. Governor Gretchen Whitmer had been petitioned by a coalition of State Senators last week asking for “common sense” guidelines that would permit business to be done in municipalities.

 The updated orders from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are based on three metrics: hospital capacity, overall case rates, and COVID-19 test positivity rates.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health was cautiously optimistic, even as more contagious virus variants on the rise. She said, “I am glad we continue to make progress, but that progress is fragile.” She urged continued vigilance and encouraged Michiganders to get the vaccine.

The vaccine rollout process is picking up, with the White House saying there will be vaccines for every American who wants it by the end of May.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4  Scholarship Deadline March 14th; Virtual Open House March 15th

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College is hosting a Virtual Open House to get future students acclimated to all that the college has to offer. The online event will be held on Monday, March 15th from 7-8 p.m.

The Virtual Open House will be featuring information about available programs, transfer programs and will walk students through the enrollment process at SC4.

SC4 participates in the “Michigan Transfer Agreement” making it easy for many students to transfer to a university to get a Bachelor Degree. There are also options for one-year certificates and two-year Associate degrees.

Besides the Virtual Open House, there is a link on the SC4 website with a virtual tour of the campus. The seven-minute video highlights the academic, athletic, and student support services that the college offers, along with information about housing, cultural events, and more.

It is also time for prospective students to get their scholarship applications turned in. The deadline is Sunday, March 14th. The application is online with many available options.

Email recruitment@sc4.edu to RSVP and receive a Zoom link to the virtual open house.

https://sc4.edu/admissions/virtual-tour-of-sc4s-campus/

Explore available scholarship opportunities and apply today at https://sc4.academicworks.com/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

OT Operation Transformation

Operation Transformation Gears Up for Continued Outreach with March 18th Open House

Port Huron, MI — Operation Transformation has worked hard during the pandemic to continue its support of local community outreach endeavors. They are planning a one-day fundraising Open House on March 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 1904 Poplar Street in Port Huron, to give OT a needed boost in donations.

Brenda Seppo, Executive Assistant at OT said, “Finances are always lower in winter and with lack of in-person opportunities for people to give, we are hoping to catch up on the budget needs.”

The non-profit has a huge list of projects that they worked on in 2020 from jail outreach to collecting over 900 cell phones to buy prepaid phone cards for military personnel. Traditions like the Community Good Friday Service and Family Night during Boat Week are the work of OT.

Seppo said that OT has relied heavily on online meetings and community services to maintain their outreach, and has actually been able to reach more people than pre-Covid. They have focused on encouragement and hope to help people navigate the changes due to the pandemic.

New projects for 2021 include a Mentoring Program for those released from prison and jail and a new initiative to recruit more foster care parents and respite workers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“March is Reading Month” Brings Reading Proficiency and School Funding into Focus

March is here and with it comes “March is Reading Month”. Schoolchildren nationwide look forward to the chance to spend some extra time with a good book and enjoy the activities and reading contests that go along with the special month.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “Every year the country uses this month to promote reading and imagination. I am proud to declare March as Reading Month in Michigan and I encourage everyone to find time to read. This month, we should recommit ourselves to encouraging children and young adults to read diverse literary works early and often so they can see themselves and others in what they read.”

There is a more serious side to the month beyond “read-ins” and book sales, and that is education funding that gives teachers the resources they need to make every child a good reader.

Michigan ranks below the national average when it comes to 4th-grade reading proficiency, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. By 8th and 12th grades, Michigan students are slightly above average.

Michigan’s budget plan for this fiscal year is the largest public-school allocation in Michigan history, and that includes $1.7 billion to go directly into schools.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Black History Banners Installed in Downtown Port Huron

Those who travel down Huron Avenue and Military Street in Port Huron might notice something new. Banners in honor of Black History Month have been installed in Downtown Port Huron. The banners honor the rich history of those who have made outstanding contributions to the Port Huron area and the Black community as a whole. 

Twenty banners have been put up throughout Downtown displaying names, faces, and quotes from those in the Black community who have had an impact on the Blue Water Area. They also highlight the diversity and growth within the whole community. 

The banners feature people like Helen Floyd, a lifelong educator and community activist, quotes from Frederick Douglass, a 19th-century abolitionist and social reformer, and reference to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an historian and scholar who is considered the “Father of Black History”. People who see the banners might be inspired to do a little research to learn more about those featured in the project. 

Black History Month may be designated to February, but the banners will remain up longer. The banner installation is a collaborative effort between the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP, Port Huron Black Lives Matter, and the St. Clair County Organizing for Regional Equity (S.C.O.R.E.) Organization with sponsorship from various community members.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland