(The Center Square) – Michigan is spending millions of taxpayer dollars to provide additional support to National Guard families going into the new year.
The three bills were recently signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — all passed with bipartisan support.
“These bills reaffirm our commitment to fight for those who fight for us,” Whitmer said. “We are lowering the cost of health care and child care for members of the Michigan National Guard, ensuring they can carry out their missions to keep us all safe and provide for their families too.”
Senate Bill 370 will create a healthcare reimbursement program, operated by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
If all eligible service members participate, this program is expected to cost the taxpayer-funded Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund between approximately $1.7 and $1.9 million a year. That cost does not include administrative and staffing costs for the program.
“I’m proud to see this legislation signed into law, ensuring our guardsmen and women can access the health and dental care they need, when they need it, while improving troop readiness, recruitment, and retention along the way,” said state Senator Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, who sponsored the bill.
Senate Bill 540 created the Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance Program, which is also to be administered by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The program will allow for taxpayer-funded reimbursements to eligible Michigan National Guard members to pay for child care costs during weekend drills or annual training.
“National Guard members have the same day-to-day responsibilities and costs anyone else does, including child care,” said state Senator Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, who sponsored the legislation. “When they take the selfless step to sign up for service, their actions deserve to be honored with our fullest support.
State estimates anticipate that about 6% of the Michigan National Guard military force, an estimated 660 households, will be eligible for the program.
Funded by the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund, it is expected to cost approximately $2.3 million. Those monies have already been appropriated.
The last bill, Senate Bill 542, assists in funding the previous bill. It requires the remaining balance in the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund be transferred to the Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund.
The tuition fund currently has a balance of $15 million. The Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund was created by House Bill 4962, which Whitmer signed into law in November.
“This plan makes sure they do not have to carry the burden of service alone,” said state Rep. Ron Robinson, R-Utica. Robinson sponsored the bill. “By funding tuition assistance, childcare, and Tricare reimbursement, we are giving guard members and their families the stability they need and the recognition they deserve. This is about standing firmly behind those who stand for us.”
Other recent bills include funding the construction of a new veteran’s home, allowing easier professional licensing for military members to switch professions, and lowering college tuition costs for military spouses and children.
