State Representative Kara Hope

Tomorrow, Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine is hosting the Teddy Bear Health Fair, a free health awareness event for children and families. The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Demonstration Hall Field, across from 393 Chestnut Rd., in East Lansing. Local health resources will be available, including nutrition and oral hygiene education. Children are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to receive a “check-up” at the Teddy Bear Hospital. More information and a registration link can be found below.

Teddy Bear Health Fair | East Lansing | College Of Human Medicine A free event hosted by the College of Human Medicine. The Teddy Bear Health Fair promotes health awareness in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

I recently co-sponsored legislation (House Bills 5992 and 5993) to allow disabled Michiganders to name a beneficiary to their MiAble Disability Savings Program account. MiAble allows Michiganders with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses while staying below the income and asset limits for Medicaid-funded supports and services. Beneficiaries and their families invest their own money into these accounts.

Currently, when a MiABLE beneficiary dies, any leftover funds in the beneficiary’s account must be used to reimburse the state for the Medicaid expenditures. This requirement is the most common reason why Michiganders with disabilities and their families do not take advantage of the MiAble program. These bills would remove that requirement, giving MiAble account holders the option of naming a successor beneficiary.