McDonald Rivet Announces New Efforts to Expand Health Care Access in Mid-Michigan

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) announced new federal funding requests aimed at improving health care outcomes for mid-Michigan veterans and families. The funding would improve both health care quality and accessibility across the region, especially in rural communities. 

“Everyone, regardless of their zip code, should be able to access quality, affordable health care,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “I am fighting to bring more federal resources home to mid-Michigan so we can improve the quality of care for veterans and fight the opioid crisis head-on. These projects break down barriers many rural communities face in getting the care they need and deserve.”

This set of federal funding requests are part of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s Community Project Funding Initiative that she is fighting to have included in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget. They include:

• A Central Michigan University request to acquire and equip a Mobile Medical Simulation Vehicle. The vehicle would travel the region to administer safe, effective and reliable training to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical facilities across Michigan, including the Saginaw VA. The trainings would have an emphasis on serving rural regions.
  • “Congresswoman McDonald Rivet's advocacy for this project will significantly enhance health care for veterans and rural communities across mid-Michigan. Rural hospitals and VA facilities often struggle to access the most advanced training needed for optimal patient care,” said Steve Vance, M.D., Associate Dean, Clinical Education at CMU College of Medicine.  “The introduction of a state-of-the-art mobile simulation facility would allow us to travel across the region, delivering impactful medical training to providers directly within the communities they serve.”
• A Ten16 Recovery Network funding request to expand and improve their Midland County facilities to treat those suffering from substance use disorders. The new and refurbished facilities will expand bed capacity for inpatient treatment and create new meeting and activity spaces. The Ten16 Recovery Network serves Michiganders from across the region, including Midland, Bay, and Saginaw counties.
  • "This project is about more than just brick and mortar; it's about fostering hope and healing for those reclaiming their lives from addiction. By expanding treatment capacity and recovery resources in Midland County, Ten16 becomes a stronger resource for the 8th Congressional District and its rural communities to tackle the addiction crisis,” said Sam Price, President and CEO of Ten16 Recovery Network. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Kristen McDonald-Rivet for her support in championing investments that strengthen rural communities and expand access to life-saving care across mid-Michigan.” 

In addition to these federal funding requests, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet is advocating for pieces of legislation to lower the cost of health care and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. 

• Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s Prescription Drug Transparency and Affordability Act increases transparency in the prescription drug pricing system with new reporting requirements and penalties to hold those who fail to comply accountable.
• The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act addresses the maternal health crisis by expanding services, including prenatal care, postnatal care for infants, and postpartum care for mothers; improving health outcomes; and reducing disparities.
• The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act seeks to prevent falls by older adults through permitting occupational and physical therapists to administer falls risks assessments for seniors as part of their Medicare Annual Wellness benefit.
• The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act helps ensure Medicare patients’ physicians are fairly compensated.