Fix Healthcare

The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, in response to the legislative Democrats reintroducing previously passed legislation addressing rising public employee health care costs: “We are thankful that Michigan's Democratic legislators have reintroduced a bill to rein in skyrocketing health care costs for hardworking school employees. While…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Update 7/29: Democratic legislators have reintroduced versions of this vetoed legislation to rein in skyrocketing health care costs for school employees. Whether it's now or in 2027 with newly elected lawmakers, addressing this crisis for educators is a top priority. Learn more and take action today! Retired MEA Lobbyist Christina Canfield used to get asked by…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Michigan’s labor movement, including the Michigan AFL-CIO, UAW and the Michigan Education Association, issued the following joint statement on Governor Whitmer’s veto of the stalled bills:    “Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of these nine bills, following a long legal battle waged by leaders in her own party, betrays democratic values and abandons the very people who have…

Kim Sandefur, a fifth-grade teacher in Comstock Public Schools, speaks Wednesday at a press conference outside of the Michigan Hall of Justice, where the Supreme Court was set to begin oral arguments in the “stalled bills” case. Before the state Supreme Court held oral arguments Wednesday morning in the “stalled bills” case, MEA members and other public employees gathered outside…

Update 12/12: The House of Representatives and House Speaker Matt Hall have appealed this ruling to the Michigan Supreme Court. Stay tuned to MEA.org and subscribe to MEA’s e-newsletters to remain up to date on the latest developments. The Michigan Education Association on Monday congratulated the Michigan Senate on its court victory against the House of Representatives, which, since January, has…

Survey results highlight need for House Bill 6058 to be signed into law without further delay In a statewide MEA survey, 80% of Michigan public school educators who responded said they have been paying more out-of-pocket health care costs since January, with the average increase at $2,400 more per year. The survey results highlight the need for House Bill 6058…

UPDATE 4/2: In response to the Senate's legal action, the Court of Claims judge said that she would not issue a ruling but instead urged the Supreme Court to accept the bypass application to issue a final ruling in the matter. The Supreme Court denied the bypass application but has ordered the Court of Appeals to expedite their consideration of…

On March 12, House Republicans passed a resolution stating they would not present Gov. Whitmer with nine bills being held from December’s “lame duck” session – including HB 6058, which would lower skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for public employee health insurance. At the same time, under the leadership of Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp), the House GOP caucus appealed a judge’s…

On Thursday, the state Senate was victorious in their lawsuit against the House to compel the presentation of bills being held back from the governor – including HB 6058, which works to reduce skyrocketing out-of-pocket health insurance costs for educators and other public employees. Court of Appeals Judge Sima Patel ruled in favor of Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and the Michigan…

Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and Bob Callender, president of the Warren Education Association, at the MEA Winter Conference. Xiong sponsored HB 6058 after learning of the impending crisis from MEA staff and leaders, including Callender. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In a passionate address before a capacity crowd at the MEA Winter Conference last week, Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) recalled…