George James

State to Use $25 Million in CARES Act Money to Reimburse PPE Purchases

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is spending $25 million in federal CARES Actmoney on personal protective equipment, or PPE, for frontline workers and patients.

The Michigan PPE Program gives money to places like long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, outpatient medical facilities, home health care providers, dental offices, pharmacies, EMS providers, funeral and mortuary services, long-term acute care hospitals, and residential congregate facilities.

The facilities will have to front the money first, as payments are actually reimbursements for eligible items. Businesses can get up to $250,000 in grant money, depending on the number of client-facing workers each day.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said, “Michigan’s providers are on the front lines every day, delivering essential health care services and caring for our loved ones. This grant program helps ease the financial burden of buying PPE, ensuring all facilities can afford the supplies they need to keep themselves and their patients safe.” 

The deadline to apply for the grant is September 8th. More information, along with the application can be found at mihealth.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help with Paying Energy Bills Available

Don’t wait for a shut off notice if you can’t pay your energy bill. That’s the message from the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services.

There is help available, but residents need to seek it early. The first step is to contact your energy provider, like DTE, SEMCO, or a local propane supplier, to see what they can do to help with payment plans. There is also assistance available through the State Emergency Relief Program and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).

Michigan Public Service Commission Chair, Dan Scripps, said, “There are still MEAP funds available to assist customers in need of energy assistance and self-sufficiency services. Also, the amount of funding available per person was increased from $2,000 to $3,000, but goes back down after Sept. 30, so it’s important that customers seek assistance right away if they have a past due account or are struggling to pay their energy bills.”

The fastest way to access the energy bill help is to go to Michigan.gov/mibridges or to dial 211 or go to mi211.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Revised Order Clarifies Symptoms that Require Employees to Stay Home

An Executive Order outlining revised COVID-19 employee protections was signed late last week. The revision addresses concerns that were voiced by business owners as to the expanded definition of symptoms in the previous order.

Brian Calley, former Lieutenant Governor and President of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said, “As we had anticipated, the Governor has issued a new executive order to replace EO 2020-166, which we had concerns with.”

The new order clears up confusion over the need to stay home with symptoms from known medical conditions as required in the previous order. According to Executive Order 2020-172, the possible COVID symptoms include a fever, an uncontrolled cough, and shortness of breath; or at least two of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: loss of taste or smell, muscle aches (“myalgia”), sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  

Governor Whitmer said that the order was necessary as the $600 unemployment benefit was running out and workers may be inclined to go to work sick. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Softball Game Brings Police and Recovery Community Together

Port Huron, MI — Local non-profit Blue Water Recovery and Outreach and the Port Huron and St. Clair Police Departments will be gathering for a family-friendly charity softball game at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron on Sunday, September 13th at 1:00 p.m. 

Members of the recovery community and local law enforcement will be enjoying recreation while providing much-needed entertainment for spectators in the midst of continual event cancellations.

Describing the family event, Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Executive Director Patrick Patterson said, “We are honored and excited to be in a position to play the police as we share a common denominator in trying to make our community a better place.’”

The actual game is limited to hosting under 100 people. Spectators are asked to maintain social distancing. The game will be livestreamed on bwroc.org and the BWROC Facebook page.

Port Huron Police Chief Joe Platzer said, “We’re community partners and when the police can work together it’s a benefit to all involved.”

Proceeds from the game will go to both the Port Huron and St. Clair Police Departments and Blue Water Recovery and Outreach. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DOJ Launches Inquiry into Michigan Nursing Home Deaths

The U.S. Department of Justice is requesting data from governors of four states, including Michigan, regarding orders that may have resulted in the deaths of elderly nursing home residents at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release from the DOJ, they are evaluating whether to initiate investigations under the federal “Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act” (CRIPA), which protects the civil rights of persons in state-run nursing homes to determine if data backs up the claim that the ordered COVID -19 admissions caused deaths.

The inquiry is not being well-received by the governors. Governor Gretchen Whitmer accused the DOJ of playing politics.

A joint letter from the four governors involved said, “This is nothing more than a transparent politicization of the Department of Justice in the middle of the Republican National Convention.  It’s no coincidence the moment the Trump administration is caught weakening the CDC’s COVID-19 testing guidelines to artificially lower the number of positive cases, they launched this nakedly partisan deflection.”

The inquiry does not imply wrongdoing, nor have any conclusions been reached at this time.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Women’s Commission Sets Priorities

The Michigan Women’s Commission is moving from the Department of Civil Rights to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The move is intended to increase the ability to address women’s economic issues in Michigan.

The Executive Director of the Michigan Women’s Commission, Cheryl Bergman, said, “Michigan women have told us time and time again that in order to achieve gender equity we need pay equity, affordable and accessible childcare, and more women in leadership. The Commission listened to these women, and is proud to take this next step with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. I am confident that by working together we can unlock opportunities, uplift women in leadership, address pay equity head on, and work hand in hand to move Michigan closer to gender equity.”  

In outlining their priorities, the Commission named pay equity, affordable childcare, paid parental leave, and the need for more women in leadership.

The Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Jeff Donofrio, said, “Michigan women deserve action, and LEO will support the Commission to accomplish their priorities and achieve gender equity.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland