Whitmer signs bill aimed at lowering prescription drug costs

Last Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bills lowering the cost of prescription drugs, protecting vulnerable adults, safeguarding religious institutions and communities, and more.

“These bills are an important step forward that will lower the cost of prescription drugs and keep more money in Michiganders’ pockets,” said Whitmer. “They build on the work I did earlier in my term to increase pharmacy oversight and protect Michiganders from surprise medical billing. I am also proud to sign bills protecting vulnerable Michiganders from harm and safeguarding religious institutions and communities. Let’s keep working together to build a Michigan we can all be proud of.”

House Bill 4276, sponsored by state Representative Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), is aimed at reducing costs by increasing transparency and expanding oversight of costs associated with prescription drugs.

“Today, we’ve taken steps to bring down prescription drug costs, while ensuring independent pharmacies are protected from unfair charge backs and unfair reimbursement rates,” said Farhat. “This is a major win for Michiganders everywhere who rely on their community pharmacy for low-cost, lifesaving prescription drugs. Michigan will be a leader in making sure that independent pharmacies are compensated fairly, ensuring access to care so patients are protected across our state.”

House Bills 4387 and 4320, sponsored by state Representative Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), protects vulnerable adults by prohibiting anyone from sexually abusing or exploiting a vulnerable adult by coercing them for sexually explicit visual materials.

“What happened to Allie and her family should never happen, but when this crime is committed, law enforcement needs to hold predators accountable. Now they can,” said MacDonell. “I am proud to have led on this important legislation, and I’m thrilled that it passed with a unanimous bipartisan vote.”  

House Bill 4476, sponsored by state Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), and House Bill 4477, sponsored by state Representative Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), establish the crime of institutional desecration against religious communities and institutions and create misdemeanor and felony penalties for institutional desecration.

“Current law conflates attacks on houses of worship, cultural and community centers, minority-owned businesses, and other institutions with petty acts of vandalism—failing to recognize that attacks on our most sacred spaces terrorize and victimize entire communities,” said Arbit. “I introduce the Institutional Desecration Act to strengthen efforts to prevent and prosecute hate crimes targeting these communal institutions. This legislation is deeply personal to me, both as a Jewish Michigander and as state representative for my religiously diverse community in Greater West Bloomfield. The passage of the Institutional Desecration Act marks a historic, long-overdue stride in Michigan’s battle against hate crimes, and I could not be prouder to see this bipartisan legislation become law.”  

“My family’s former place of worship fell victim to a mass shooter full of hate and bigotry,” said state Puri. “I unfortunately know firsthand the immense physical and mental impact a hate crime has on victims and their community. These bills are another step to ensure Michigan is a place all people, regardless of background or belief, feel safe and welcome – especially in the places they worship, work or attend school.”

House Bill 4885, sponsored by state Representative Donovan McKinney (D-Detroit), and House Bill 4923, sponsored by state Representative Joseph Aragona (R-Clinton Township), will protect patients who receive medication by bolstering the permitting process for people who work as medication aides so that Michiganders receive the correct medication and doses from qualified professionals.

“Today we take action to help alleviate some of the burden in our health care system when it comes to delivering safe medication to patients,” said McKinney. “This is one way we’re putting hard-working Michiganders first — completion of this additional skill will position CNAs to advance in the workplace and allow the state to further professionalize another sector of the health industry, thereby growing local economies. This is a win-win package and an example of people-focused policy.”

“I am proud to work across the aisle to help out nurse aides,” said Aragona. “This package of bill will help protect our most vulnerable patients and empower nurse aides in their profession.”

House Bill, 4082, sponsored by state Representative Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), designates a portion of Highway I-96 from mile marker 76 east to mile marker 77 in Ionia County as the “Barry Lyn Hause Memorial Highway.”

“As we drive on Michigan’s roads, let’s recognize the invaluable service of our construction workers—their commitment builds our state’s very foundations,” said Witwer. “Sponsoring House Bill 4082 was a profound honor, and I was so glad to see bipartisan support for this tribute to a man whose life was dedicated to improving Michigan. The tragic accident that took Barry’s life while on the job underscores the risks these workers face. The newly designated Barry Lyn Hause Memorial Highway stands as a lasting memorial and serves as a poignant reminder to drive safely and respect the sacrifices made by those like Barry. Through this legislation, we pay homage to his legacy, express gratitude to his family, and acknowledge the tireless contributions of the workers building Michigan’s future.”