I will not support cuts to programs that help the most vulnerable.
Year after year, those struggling to make ends meet continue to fall further and further behind. The social safety net needs to be strengthened to ensure that the young, elderly, sick, and disabled are supported.
One of the most important programs that is currently under attack is Medicaid and the Medicaid Expansion, also know as Healthy Michigan. Over 674,000 people in Michigan receive their health insurance through the Healthy Michigan plan. In the Upper Peninsula, almost 20,000 people receive their health insurance through the Healthy Michigan plan, and in the 109th state house district, 5,828 people receive their health insurance through the Healthy Michigan plan. I will not support cuts to programs that help the most vulnerable.
According to data from the Michigan League for Public Policy, 45.7% of students in the Upper Peninsula receive free or reduce-priced school lunches. Almost half of the students in the U.P. struggle to afford nutritious meals. Luckily, local communities are already stepping in to help students not go hungry on the weekends. For example, the Marquette Area Public Schools has a program called “JJ Packs” and the Negaunee Public Schools has a program called “Miner Packs.” Through volunteers and donations from the community, students at the respective elementary schools are sent home with meals for the weekend. I believe state government needs to make sure that children and students are receiving nutritious meals.