SUMMARY OF HEARING – SAGINAW – 6/14/2006 Testimony Presented:

1. Jennifer Farrington – Planned Parenthood of East Central Michigan - written testimony Served 9,279 clients last year. Concerned about the lack of affordable access to contraceptives. With 85% of women using contraceptives at some point in their lives, the passage of SB 431 and 432 – contraceptive equity legislation- is needed.

2. Jill Wilson– written testimony As a mother of three and a woman she is grateful for the Medicaid program. She is glad Governor is working to provide health coverage of low income parents and wants the plan to be realistic about co-payments and premiums.

3. Jackie Doig – Center for Civil Justice – written testimony Supports Governor’s proposed Michigan First Healthcare program and wants it done right. We need realistic premiums, co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance. Need to provide preventative care and access to providers. Also need to be mindful of the effects that MI First Healthcare may have on access to care for individuals who currently receive Medicaid.

4. Marsha Parrott-Boyle – SEIU Local 517M- written testimony Highlighted the need to address workplace ergonomics. A large number of women are injured each year due to ergonomic risk facts that are ignored. Nursing aides have 10 times more injuries than auto mechanics. All people have the right to go to work and not be harmed by preventable hazards.

5. Melissa Byrnes – SEIU Local 517M - written testimony Concerned about being able to pump milk as a breastfeeding mom while at work. She worked at the Department of Environmental Quality and found many problems finding a suitable place to express milk. Workplace needs to support breastfeeding.

6. Rachel Estabrook – Underground Railroad, Inc. no written testimony Thanked the commission for working on anti-domestic violence legislation, contraceptive equity and for affirmative action. Hopes to continue to work together in the future.

7. Leola Wilson - NAACP – written testimony Spoke about the need to work together to defeat the MCRI ballot proposal. The proposal would harm Michigan’s women.

8. Sandra Lindsey - Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority - written testimony As the director she spoke about the need to support Senator Bev Hammerstrom’s legislation for mental health parity. She also spoke about the problems people leaving jails have in obtaining state identification cards.

9. Linda Tilot – written testimony Concerned about urban decay. She believes there needs to be an outside force to make regional metropolitan planning happen. She thinks the current planning laws are outdated and responsible for urban decay.

10. Connie Downing – Covenant HealthCare- written testimony In search of support for fair and ethical reimbursement to organizations who continue to care for high-risk pregnancies. They request DRG reform and review of reimbursement practices.

11. Susan Garpiel – Covenant HealthCare – written testimony Provided detailed information on reimbursement rates and DRG groupings for high-risk pregnancies at the centers in Michigan providing such care.

12. Daneil J. Wechter, M.D. –Maternal-Fetal Medicine, P.C. - written testimony Hospitals need to get adequate reimbursement for high risk pregnancies so care is available.

13. Lisa Hadden – Health Futures, Healthy Community Partners - written testimony Told about the Healthy Community Partners that has integrated an asset-based a community development model into a health care delivery system to reach the homeless and uninsured population many of whom are single women with children. The Healthy Futures program is a network of 5 street clinics located in places where the homeless and uninsured are found. Served over 6,000 patients in last 4 years.

14. Pam Yager – Governor’s Policy Staff – written testimony Provided information on the Governor’s proposed Michigan First Health Care Plan to cover the uninsured in Michigan. Attending but not testifying:

15. Christine Brennan – Child and Family Service

16. Dr. Mamie Thorns – SVSU, Director of Diversity Programs

17. Marianne Woods – SEIU 517M

18. Gwen Howard – SVSU Sociology Club

19. Janelle Evans – Women’s Center of Greater Lansing

20. Teresa Borowski – AAUW Saginaw Chapter

21. Nancy Urban – Saginaw County CMH Authority

22. Betty Gillmore

23. Sarah Holdwick

6/15/2006