Michigan’s
Health Care Costs Lower than National Average
Michigan’s health care costs in many
categories were lower than the national averages based on statistics from the
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Most notably, Michigan was
lower than the national average in per capita health care costs ($6,618
compared to $6,815) and per capita physician costs ($1,366 compared to $1,650).
Additionally, Michigan had the lowest per capita health care costs in
comparison to any of the other Great Lakes states. Unfortunately, not every
health care cost in Michigan was below the national average as the state’s
durable medical equipment spending per capita was $189 compared to $114.
House
Passes Mixed Martial Arts Bills in Response to Death of Fighter
The recent death of an amateur mixed martial
arts fighter from Port Huron has led to rapid approval in the House for
legislation designed to regulate the fast-growing sport. The bills are designed
to regulate amateur mixed martial arts by requiring both an ambulance to be
present at all fighting events and also a doctor to be ringside. Furthermore, House
Bill 4166 and House
Bill 4167 establish baseline requirements that promoters must meet while
also creating a licensure fee promoters will have to pay. The bills were passed
with bipartisan support in the House and are sponsored primarily by
Representative Harvey Santana (D-Detroit).
US
Representative Fred Upton Announces Appointments
United States Representative Fred Upton
(R-St. Joseph) has named his former St. Joseph District Representative Clay
McCausland to be his current District Director. He has also named Lynn Turner
as his Community and Media Liaison.
March
Revenues Up
The Senate Fiscal Agency released a report
showing a 9.4 percent increase in revenue to the General Fund and School Aid
Fund in March over the same month a year ago. Year-to-date for the fiscal year,
General Fund revenues are $119.6 over projections and School Aid Fund revenues
are $22.1 million over projections. Individual income revenues were $13.7
million higher than estimates, bringing in $288.2 million for the month. This
is despite income tax refunds being more than projected.