Health advocates applaud Flint aid, urge continued investment

Health advocates today applauded the Legislature's approval of $28 million in state aid for families impacted by the lead poisoning crisis in Flint, recognizing that the appropriation is only a down payment on what must be a continuing commitment of state resources for the city's recovery.

"This funding can't turn back the clock and prevent the poisoning of Flint's children, but we hope it will minimize the health impacts and ease some of the burden on families who are suffering deeply," said Tina Reynolds, coordinator of the Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Homes and health policy director for the Michigan Environmental Council. "It's critical that our state leaders follow this short-term fix with a long-term investment to support Flint and make sure nothing similar ever happens in another Michigan community."

Requested by Gov. Rick Snyder in his State of the State address, the funding approved today by both chambers of the Legislature will provide health assessments for Flint residents and nutritional support for lead-exposed children, among other measures.

"The governor has pledged to do what's needed to help Flint residents and make sure nothing like this happens again, and we plan to hold him accountable for following through on that promise," Reynolds said. "Setting things right in Flint should be part of a broader state commitment to the ambitious but achievable goal of ending lead poisoning throughout Michigan."

CONTACT

Andy McGlashen
(517) 420-1908