Lift restrictions on nurse practitioners
Michigan needs primary care providers. Seventy-five of the 83 counties in the state of Michigan are experiencing a shortage. By the year 2030, it is estimated that Michigan will require an additional 1,500 primary care providers to meet the current level of utilization.
Nurse practitioners are the answer to the crisis in accessing primary care in the state of Michigan. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are Registered Nurses with advanced education (minimally a master’s degree, many with doctoral level degrees) and training. Numerous studies have demonstrated that NPs provide primary care that is equal in quality and cost compared to physicians. NPs have historically provided care for underserved and vulnerable populations to a greater degree than physician counterparts. However, the state of Michigan restricts the ability of nurse practitioners to practice to the full scope of their training by requiring a relationship with a collaborating physician and limiting prescribing. Full-practice authority for nurse practitioners is the answer to the shortage of primary providers.
Listen to postal carriers on postmaster's leadership
It is time for Congress to start an investigation into Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in regards to his handling of the United States Post Office since taking the position —specifically, his mandates and processes leading up to, and during the last presidential election.
Due to what we now know of DeJoy requiring specific pieces of equipment to be removed from post offices across the nation (including here in Detroit), which are used to sort mail, as well as not properly staffing post offices, there have been delays in mail and packages that has negatively impacted people like myself and my community. We've also heard about postal carriers in our community who are overworked because of staff shortages, caused by people who have left or passed away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Detroit significantly. All of this is causing undue stress on these employees of the United States Postal Service.
I think this is outrageous. I suggest that U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence ask a local Detroit postal carrier testify before Congress about what has happened since Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has taken office.