Gun Violence Prevention Groups Urge Michigan Legislature to
Pass Life-Saving Bills to Address Gun Violence

November 15, 2024 — Today, a coalition of gun violence prevention advocates — including the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) — unite to urge Michigan state legislature leadership to prioritize three crucial public safety bills before the current legislative session ends. The measures would expand violence prevention programs across the state as well as strengthen ghost gun regulations and hold the gun industry accountable.

One of the three bills, HB 6046, would authorize Medicaid funding for community violence intervention (CVI) services across the state. These evidence-based programs play a foundational role in addressing the root causes of gun violence and supporting communities and victims of violence. The bill will codify and sustain Medicaid funding in Michigan to help meaningfully address gun violence and end generational cycles of violence.

“This critical legislation will create a violence prevention benefit within the Medicaid program to provide essential services to those at high risk of community violence as well as survivors of violence,” said Jermaine Belcher, senior coordinator of policy and advocacy at the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention. “By supporting this legislation, Michigan lawmakers have an opportunity to create a robust state-wide public health funding infrastructure to combat violence effectively and ensure the well-being of all communities impacted.”