MI-CEMI endorses the federal Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting vote in the U.S. Senate. The HEROES Act would build on the current CARES Act to provide more federal relief for the economic and health-related impact of COVID-19 and includes a number of provisions for individuals who have been or are currently incarcerated. The Act would:
- Encourage the release of incarcerated people who are vulnerable to the virus (based on age, health status)
- Provide funding to limit the spread of COVID-19 in facilities, to go toward PPE, increased testing and diagnostic services
- Provide Second Chance Act grants to help facilitate the reintegration of people recently released from prison
- Ensure incarcerated individuals can apply for, and access services paid by, Medicaid 30 days prior to release, limiting gaps in health coverage upon reentry.
Michigan is fortunate that its two U.S. Senators, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, are supportive of the provisions in the HEROES Act, but we must continue to lift up this issue. Click here to contact Sens. Stabenow and Peters to tell them how important the HEROES Act is to you and to all Michiganders as we weather the storm of COVID-19 together.