LANSING, Mich. — On April 19, State Rep. Jon Hoadley and State Sen. Margaret O'Brien were announced as Care Champion awardees by Caring Across Generations, a national care giving advocacy campaign.
Rep. Hoadley, an openly gay man, was recognized for being the chief sponsor of the Long-Term Care Study Bill HB 4674. That bill would do a rigorous needs assessment of long-term care in Michigan, so that we have the research necessary to make informed decisions around long-term care in a state whose population is aging rapidly. The bill has bipartisan support and over 40 co-sponsors. Hoadley gave testimony on it during a hearing in the Health Policy Committee in the fall of 2017.
"I am excited and honored to accept this award on behalf of all of the folks who are doing work to protect the Caring Majority," says Rep. Hoadley. "The Long-Term Care Study Bill is both the right thing to do for our citizens and taxpayers of Michigan. I hope we can continue to build momentum to sign this bill into law."
Senator O'Brien was recognized due to her support for in-home caregivers and families providing care, such as care for children, elderly parents or disabled family members. In particular, her bill, SB 749, passed in the Senate in 2018 to allow, beginning in tax year 2018, a Michigan income tax credit for dependent care that mirrors the one offered at the federal level.
"More and more families are struggling with how to care for our loved ones while making ends meet, but our policies are lagging far behind the reality of what Americans need," said Ai-jen Poo, co-director of Caring Across Generations. "Luckily, we have care champions like Rep. Hoadley and Senator O'Brien, who are showing us what is possible when principled leadership is coupled with bold policy solutions. We need more elected officials like Rep. Hoadley and Senator O'Brien to call for making our care infrastructure strong enough for the 21st century."
Michigan United is a partner of Caring Across Generations. Its representative Ryan Bates said that he too was pleased to honor both Hoadley and O'Brien.
"For years, Rep. Hoadley and Senator O-Brien have been legislators we can count on to support the Caring Majority. We're pleased to be able to honor Rep. Hoadley and Senator O'Brien for their work, and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that all of us who need care and all of us who provide that care get the support we need," said Bates.
Rep. Hoadley, Sen. O'Brien Honored by Caring Across Generations
Read More
Go Girl! Saugatuck Celebrates Women’s Weekend at Nation’s Largest Gay Resort
Women hearing the siren call of Lake Michigan may want to mark May 31-June 2 on their calendars. Those are the days that the largest gay resort in the country [...]
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
Tips on Selecting a Wedding Venue When You’re Stuck on the ‘Where’
One of the most critical decisions engaged couples will make is choosing a ceremony and reception venue. These choices will impact almost every other choice, so [...]
