FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Brooke Lindley
email: brooke@mitransformation.org
phone: 269-550-8290
December 20, 2024
Michigan Passes Historic Bill to Advance Community Violence Intervention Statewide
LANSING, MI— This week, Michigan solidified its leadership in violence prevention by passing a historic bill ensuring Medicaid coverage for community violence intervention (CVI) services. Sponsored by Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Twp.), the legislation marks a pivotal step in addressing gun violence and promoting community safety across the state.
House Bill 6046, championed by the Michigan Transformation Collective (MTC) through its Blueprint for Peace initiative, establishes sustainable Medicaid funding for CVI professionals and programs. This groundbreaking legislation ensures that Medicaid will cover vital CVI services for qualifying individuals, including peer support, conflict mediation, crisis intervention, and case management.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to ensure sustainable funding for our local communities’ violence intervention efforts,” said Rep. Morse, who represents Kalamazoo and held CVI listening sessions across the state in 2023/24. “Whether you’re in Kalamazoo, Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, or Saint Ignace, this legislation ensures that resources to address gun violence as a public health crisis are accessible statewide.”
Once finalized, Michigan will join eight other states in utilizing Medicaid to support CVI programs, which have shown significant success nationally—reducing gun violence by up to 66% in some cases. The passage of this bill positions Michigan as a leader in using systemic, evidence-based approaches to address violence.
A Statewide Collaborative Effort
The legislation results from extensive input from Michiganders, representing a diverse cross-section of the state. These include CVI programs, hospitals, healthcare providers, public safety, and local leaders from Detroit, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to breaking cycles of violence and ensuring CVI professionals are a recognized part of the system of public safety.
“HB 6046 is not just policy; it is a declaration that Michigan values the health and safety of all its residents. It is a recognition that community violence is preventable, not inevitable,” said Dujuan “Zoe” Kennedy, Executive Director of FORCE Detroit. “It is an opportunity to invest in solutions that uplift, rather than incarcerate, those impacted by violence.”
Dr. Brian Stork, a genitourinary surgeon in Muskegon who has seen too many families in the surgical waiting room devastated from the loss of a loved one, has advocated strongly with fellow physicians and hospitals statewide. “A sustainable model for the delivery of community violence prevention interventions is critical for our most vulnerable youth and will help make Michigan a happier and safer place to live for all of us.”
Why This Matters to Michigan
Gun violence has surged nationwide four years ago, and the federal government supported gun violence reduction strategies through significant increases in grant funds and flexibility with covid-relief dollars through the ARPA & SLFRF. Of the $10 million in grants allocated by the Michigan legislature for CVI efforts in 2023, $5 million were ARPA funds and the rest came from the general fund – there were no grant dollars for this work in the 2024-25 budget that went into effect in October. By leveraging Medicaid, the state of Michigan will pay a portion of the costs, because the federal government funds 65% of the costs of services provided through Medicaid in Michigan.
“As law enforcement professionals we are acutely aware of the challenges our communities face, particularly when it comes to gun violence reduction strategies,” said Kalamazoo Chief of Police David Boysen. “Michigan has ensured CVI programs can continue their critical work to address violence and promote healthy outcomes, through a new sustainable funding source.”
“This bill gives hope to communities like ours that have been disproportionately impacted by violence,” said Yafinceio Harris, Co-Founder of Peace During War and CVI Fellow with MTC. “This bill shows us that the state will continue to invest in our community’s safety in a long-term way so we can focus on keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
Next Steps
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will now work with stakeholders across the state to develop and secure federal approval for a Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA), which will unlock federal matching funds to amplify Michigan’s investment in CVI services.
“This is just the beginning,” said Berglin. “With federal approval, Michigan will amplify our commitment to violence intervention efforts, ensuring that all communities will have a clear path to sustainable funding for CVI services that save lives.”
For more information on the Blueprint for Peace and the work of the Michigan Transformation Collective, visit mitransformation.org.
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About Michigan Transformation Collective
Michigan Transformation Collective (MTC) catalyzes racial healing and narrative change to transform the community from a system of harmful human hierarchies into one of hope, courage, and love. For more information, visit www.mitransformation.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.