Bill Text: MI HR0242 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Congress of the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide financial assistance to the state of Michigan and affected residents to address the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-12 - Referred To Committee On Health Policy [HR0242 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0242-Introduced.html
house Resolution No.242
Reps. Manoogian, Hammoud, Camilleri, Brenda Carter, Hope, Bolden, Peterson, Tyrone Carter, Hood, Clemente, Stone, Whitsett and Sowerby offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus, is a mild to severe respiratory illness that spreads from person to person. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Many patients with the most severe complications have developed pneumonia in both lungs. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions have the greatest risk of developing serious illness. The mortality rate appears to be higher than that of influenza; and
Whereas, The novel coronavirus was first detected in China but has spread to nearly 70 locations internationally, including the United States. The serious threat to public health posed by the virus led the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare a public health emergency for the United States. In early February 2020, the state of Michigan activated the Community Health Emergency Coordination Center to address the state and local outbreak response; and
Whereas, Coordinating the novel coronavirus outbreak response is a costly endeavor for the state of Michigan and the entire country. The first two months of national coronavirus response will cost an estimated $25 million. Michigan has already mobilized state employees and numerous resources to assist local health departments, distribute guidelines and educational materials, and screen and investigate potential cases; and
Whereas, The cost of testing, treating, and containing the virus could be steep for affected individuals, particularly among the 27.5 million uninsured people in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially provided free test kits to public health departments, but testing by hospitals and private laboratories may not be free. Uninsured or underinsured patients may be forced to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for emergency room and urgent care visits, hospital stays, and tests to rule out other illnesses; and
Whereas, The prospect of unaffordable medical bills could prevent low-income patients from seeking treatment. Avoiding treatment could increase the risk of the disease spreading; and
Whereas, Appropriate federal support for the novel coronavirus outbreak response is imperative to protect the health of Michigan residents and people across the country; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Congress of the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide financial assistance to the state of Michigan and affected residents to address the novel coronavirus outbreak; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
