ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The federal law designed to protect the public from toxic chemicals is getting an update, but some say it doesn't go far enough, and could actually put Michigan families at risk.

Andy Igrejas, director of the watchdog group Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, says most people are aware of the presence of hazardous chemicals in cleaning products, detergents and some plastics. But he says people may not be aware of how many other chemicals enter their homes through the manufacturing process.

"Not all chemicals are toxic, but there's no real system to identify the ones that are toxic," says Igrejas. "We need to put in place appropriate restrictions to ensure they are used safely. If there is no way to use them safely, see that they're banned."

Recent studies have found high levels of toxic chemicals in several brands of vinyl flooring sold at major retailers.

The Toxic Substances Control Act hasn't been updated in nearly 40 years, but consumer advocates say the new bill doesn't adequately protect public health or the environment when it comes to identifying and restricting the use of known toxins.

Rebecca Meuninck with the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center, says strong protections against toxic chemicals should be of particular concern to Michiganders.

"We actually have quite a few of them building up in our Great Lakes ecosystem," she says. "For folks who enjoy Great Lakes fish, like I do, we have them in our bodies as a result of this."

Meuninck adds that under the proposed bill, states like Michigan would be powerless to take action to restrict those toxins until a lengthy review could take place at the federal level.

"Unfortunately, the EPA could take a very long time," says Meuninck. "A minimum of seven years, and perhaps much longer, to regulate that chemical. That really leaves us vulnerable in the meantime. "

Public health watchdogs have also raised concerns that some of the bill's biggest backers - including its primary sponsor, New Mexico Senator Tom Udall - have received large campaign contributions from the chemical industry.

Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are co-sponsors of Senate Bill 697, and have expressed a willingness to work toward further strengthening the bill's protections.


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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.