Health benefits combined for the older low income

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Although the state could move dual-eligible Medicare and Medicaid individuals into a new system, most beneficiaries don’t realize the upcoming changes to their benefits, according to a new survey. Michigan is one of 15 states awarded a contract to develop an integrated plan that offers both high-quality and cost-effective care. Medicare provides health benefits to people older than 65, and Medicaid benefits are for low-income residents. People who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits are called “dual eligible,” according to the Department of Community Health. If fully implemented, the program as proposed would integrate services and funding for more than 200,000 state residents enrolled in both programs, which cost the state and federal governments more than $8 billion annually, according to the department.

Look but don't touch baby wildlife, experts say

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Nature has its own rules. One of them is: protect baby animals by leaving them with their mothers. Parents will abandon their babies if they are removed from their natural environment, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In addition, some wild animals have diseases or parasites that can be passed to humans or pets, DNR said. “Nearly 1,000 wild animals are rescued by licensed rehabilitators each year in the state.

Young farm worker rules misunderstood, Labor Department says

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – A proposed revision of federal regulations for young farm workers is in need of clarification, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. “Children employed in agriculture are some of the most vulnerable workers in America. Ensuring their welfare is a priority of the department, and this proposal is another element of our comprehensive approach,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. The revision aims to better regulate child labor in agriculture, including a better interpretation of the “parental exemption,” according to the department. The department said the proposed rules would not eliminate the parental exemption, created in 1966, which allows children of any age to work on even hazardous tasks on a farm owned by their parent.

Youth hunting may boost state's economy

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – More turkey hunting licenses will be issued this year to lure young people outdoors, a step which may help improve the state’s economy said Rodney Stokes, director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A new $7.50 mentored youth hunting license package started on March 1, according to the DNR. The spring turkey season which runs from April 25 to May 13. “It is a good way to teach children about the importance of conserving the state’s unmatched natural resources and ensure the hunting tradition continues to thrive,” Stokes said. The new mentoring program will eliminate the minimum hunting age and let parents decide if and when their child is ready to hunt.

Homeowners struggling despite availability of funding

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Although the state has received nearly $500 million in federal funds to assist homeowners, many Michigan residents are still fighting foreclosures. According to a U.S. Treasury Department report, Michigan has committed about $30 million, only 6.1 percent of that money, helping 2,897 homeowners avoid foreclosures. Only three states received larger grants. It is crucial to create programs that allow families to stay in their homes, stopping a significant drop in real estate values and encouraging economic growth in all regions, said Mary Lou Keenon, communications director at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. She said Michigan uses money from the Hardest Hit program for mortgage subsidies and loans.

Natural gas supply exceeds demand, forcing prices down

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Falling natural gas prices in the state might prompt drilling companies to cut production, according to the Michigan Oil and Gas Association. A growing supply of natural gas in the state has weakened prices, putting pressure on drillers, said association president Frank Mortl. With dropping prices, producers are hurting, but consumers are huge winners, he said. Michigan ranked 13th among the states in natural gas production in 2006, according to Oil Gas Michigan. “The warm winter made customers pay less for natural gas on their bill.

'Placemaking' pushed to propel home sales

By JENNIFER CHEN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Appealing plazas, thriving shops and convenient transportation may play a crucial role to increase home sales, according to the Michigan Association of Realtors. The association cites Gov. Rick Snyder’s “placemaking” policy as a way to improve the housing market. Mike Nowlin, senior public relations and policy manager at Pace & Partners Inc., said, Snyder embraced placemaking as part of Michigan’s agenda to attract and retain talent, entrepreneurs and businesses. Nowlin said powerful collaborative efforts are underway to achieve the state’s placemaking objectives. Association President Beth Foley said.

'Food hubs' spur local produce sales

By WEI YU
Capital News Service
LANSING – Detroit schoolchildren are eating more fresh Michigan-grown vegetables and fruit. Betti Wiggins, director of operations for food service at the Detroit Public Schools, said she started working with a local food hub about two years ago. Now the school system serves meals to about 45,000 students a day, and they include at least half a cup of fresh fruit and half a cup of vegetables, she said. “Because I have 130 schools, it’s about supply chain management, and that’s how I started to work with Detroit’s Eastern Market,” said Wiggins. “Our school and the Eastern Market have developed a crop plan – planned production by local farmers.

Agencies call for parity in mental health insurance coverage

By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – Mental health advocates want the state to revise the proposed autism-treatment law to require health insurance to cover mental illness. They endorse the legislation to mandate that private insurance providers cover autism related-disorders, but say mental health disorders need equal coverage. Michael Brashears, executive director of Community Mental Health in Ottawa County, said the biggest problem in his county is not just autism, but also other moderate mental conditions. “Autism is not more severe than other disorders. We see more cases of moderate forms of developmental disabilities such as conduct disorder, depressive disorders and anxiety that affect both children and adults in our areas,” he said.

Legislators split on added death threat penalties

By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – A bill aimed at giving lawmakers additional protection drew high criticism from some legislators. Sen. Darwin Booher, R-Evart, proposed the bill, saying there should be specific laws to protect lawmakers. “When elected officials receive death threats, it affects them, their families, their work and their voting process,” he said. According to Booher, there are laws against intimidation on the federal level and state lawmakers should be protected under the same type of rules. Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, agreed, saying,
“It’s unacceptable just to throw around death threats without any responsibility.”
Last year, both Booher and Casperson received several death threats via phone and mail.