July 14th-31st, 2026

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced that they are preparing to implement the federally required Medicaid changes that were passed under H.R. 1. This includes the new work requirements and more frequent eligibility reviews for certain Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) beneficiaries.

Beginning in January 2027, some HMP enrollees ages 19 to 64 may need to complete approved activities. The list of approved activities includes employment, education, volunteer work, or work programs. Some enrollees can qualify for an exemption to maintain their coverage. The department will be reviewing federal guidance, updating systems, and developing outreach materials to help beneficiaries understand and comply with the new requirements.

The changes will be implemented gradually, and MDHHS has stated that beneficiaries will receive additional information and notices as the transition moves forward.

Three bits of Michigan election news have come out recently. First, Republican Gubernatorial candidate, Mike Cox, announced he was ending his campaign and endorsing John James. In his press release the former Attorney General claimed President Trump’s endorsement of James all but sealed the GOP primary race, which until then had been a three-way competition.

Next, the Michigan Bureau of Election announced that the Michiganders for Money out of Politics proposal had been recommended for certification by The Board of State Canvassers. The Board then approved the petition proposal by a 3-1 vote after the submitted signature sample passed the review process by a margin of nine signatures.The Board will now decide on the language of the proposal and give the Michigan legislature an opportunity to pass the proposal. If the legislature decides not to pass the proposal then it would be on the ballot and in the hands of the voters in November.

If passed by the electorate the petition would bar certain public utilities and large government contractors from making political contributions.

Lastly, Governor Whitmer made the decision to endorse Congresswoman Haley Stevens’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The endorsement comes a week and a half before the August primary when Democratic voters decide the candidate that will face off against the Republican Mike Rogers in November. Stevens lone opponent is the former public health professional and progressive Abdul El-Sayed who has the backing of national progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The Michigan Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 4th.

Recently, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget released data that shows that Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped to 5% in the month of June. Comparatively, the national unemployment rate for June was 4.2%. The decline occurred alongside a shrinking labor force, as fewer Michiganders were working or actively seeking employment. Although the state’s household employment measure declined during the month, employers reported a modest gain of approximately 3,000 payroll jobs. Michigan’s labor force participation also decreased .3% to 59.5% for the month of June.

The leisure and hospitality and government sectors led Michigan’s job growth in June, with each industry adding approximately 3,000 jobs. Whereas the professional and business service industry saw the biggest hit, losing 3,000 jobs.

Looking at the over-the-year numbers the biggest gain is in government with 16,000 added jobs. The biggest losers are the trade, transportation, and utilities industry which saw a loss of 8,000 jobs, and manufacturing which lost 7,000.

Legislative Democrats have reintroduced a package of nine bills that were previously vetoed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer after they had failed to reach her desk during the previous legislative session. The package includes legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and other Democratic lawmakers addressing issues including public employee pensions, healthcare costs, debt garnishment protections, and Detroit museum funding. Democratic leaders said they intend to advance the bills again during the current legislative session.

To view our previous coverage of this issue, including the previous nine bills click the article below.

The Clerk of Michigan House of Representatives, Scott Starr, recently announced that committee testimony and position card submission will now go through an online portal on the Michigan House website. Portal access opens when the committee time and agenda is initially posted.

The portal will open on August 3rd and replace the current submission via email process. Day of and in-person submission will still be accepted at the committee meeting.

The McCall Hamilton team is happy to answer any questions regarding this change and how it impacts future advocacy efforts!

Recently, Governor Whitmer announced several leadership changes within the Executive Office, including the promotion of Zack Pohl to chief of staff, will take place on August 1st. Pohl will succeed JoAnne Huls, who is stepping down from the role on July 31st after more than seven years of service. Huls will remain with the administration as a senior adviser.

Pohl recently served as the principal deputy chief of staff and oversaw the communications, federal affairs, legislative affairs, policy, and scheduling division of the executive office. Pohl has worked with Whitmer since 2018 when he served as communication director for her gubernatorial campaign and continued that role in her administration.

Below are other various promotions made by the Governor:

• Maria Martinez - Chief Deputy to the Governor (formerly Deputy Chief of Staff).
• Kara Cook - Deputy Chief of Staff (formerly Director of Legislative Affairs).
• Emily Mellits - Director of External Affairs (formerly Director of the Office of Community Engagement).
• Carly Swanson - Deputy Director of External Affairs (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Victoria Houston - Senior External Affairs Specialist (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Anna Cool - Senior External Affairs Specialist (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Julia Evasic - Deputy Director of Advance (formerly Advance Associate).
• Preston Weyland - Senior Deputy Director of Federal Affairs (formerly Manager of Federal Grants and Appropriations).
• Nathan Reynolds - Deputy Director of Federal Affairs (formerly Manager of Federal Grants and Appropriations).