Health Insurers, Federal Government to Provide Free COVID Testing
Insurers are now required by federal law to cover the purchase of eight COVID-19 tests per person, per month.
At-home tests are often hard to find and can cost up to $12 per single test. Consumers who find the tests will need to save the box and the receipt to get reimbursement. The rule went into effect on January 15th.
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox said, “Depending on the insurer, consumers may be able to get their covered tests for free at the store or pharmacy, or they may be required to keep receipts for later reimbursement.”
Health insurers must cover the cost of the tests through preferred networks of pharmacies and retailers or through reimbursement. Medicaid and MIChild recipients have coverage as well. Uninsured people can get testing for free at some community health centers.
In addition to the insurance coverage, the federal government is providing one billion free at-home tests that can be ordered beginning January 19th through the website COVIDTests.gov. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Four tests per address are allowed with the federal program.
Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland
Port Huron Town Hall Making Changes to Future Seasons
Port Huron Town Hall has been bringing guest speakers to the area since 1955 when it was founded by a group of women who wanted to inform and entertain their peers in the Blue Water Area.
The group typically has five presentations throughout the year from October through March, but due to rising costs, the group’s board has decided to condense future seasons.
The 2022 season of Port Huron Town Hall will feature four speakers, and the presentations will occur in September, October, November, and December. The board believes the change will keep the organization financially viable and also prevent their audience from having to navigate winter weather to attend performances.
A letter from the board on their website states, “This decision was not made lightly, and we realize this is a big change. Our costs have risen significantly in the past year prompting us to reevaluate our financial health as an organization to continue for another 60 years.”
The next speaker to present at Port Huron Town Hall is Amy Dickinson, syndicated advice columnist of Ask Amy, Advice for the Real World. She’ll be at McMorran auditorium on February 14, 2022. Tickets are available at the McMorran box office.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
Little Black Dress Fundraiser Goes Virtual to Raise Funds for Cancer Patients
The 16th Annual Little Black Dress fundraiser is on the calendar for Friday, March 4th at 6:00 p.m. The event will be virtual again this year, thanks to the spike in Covid cases in the region and the danger of gathering in large groups. Participants can check in on Facebook Live to be part of the annual tradition.
The Little Black Dress event raises funds for the Betty Kearns Cancer Fund to provide support for those in cancer treatment. Last year, 25 families were helped with meeting basic needs while dealing with their cancer diagnoses.
Supporters can get involved by buying raffle tickets. Some of the items on the list this year include a Gift Card Board, Lotto Ticket Board, a Paddle Board & Yeti Cooler, and the popular “Touch a Freighter” experience. There are also trips to Sedona, Arizona and Mackinac Island and catering from Vintage House, among many others.
Sponsorship opportunities for businesses and families are available. Donations of raffle items are being accepted until February 25th.
To buy raffle tickets or to find out more about the cause, go to bluewaterlittleblackdress.org.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Lake Huron Medical Center’s January 2022 Employee of the Month
Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its January 2022 Employee of the Month, Lisa Boughner. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.
Lisa works as an Environmental Services Tech and has been an employee at LHMC since June 2017. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Lisa has great compassion for patients and nonstop teamwork between departments. Her cleaning is exemplary, but while doing her job she is constantly helping patients – waters, trays or just talking to brighten up their day – all while doing her job all in a timely manner. She truly does go above and beyond.”
Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Lisa, as we celebrate their accomplishments.
To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.
Submitted by Lake Huron Medical Center
Michigan Infrastructure Office Launched
The Michigan Infrastructure Office has been created in response to the windfall of federal money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The money can be used to address needs of roads and bridges, lead pipes, high-speed internet, and the creation of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
On the creation of the office, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “With passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Michigan will receive billions of dollars to build on our efforts at the state-level. I am proud to establish the Michigan Infrastructure Office to effectively invest these incoming resources in communities across every region of our state.”
Whitmer said, “By establishing this office, we can move full steam ahead toward continuing to improve commutes, keep families safe on the road, and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.”
The office is supported by members of Michigan’s labor unions. Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO said, “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a once in a lifetime investment in workers across our country, and the funds coming into Michigan are much needed.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland