LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed Senate Bills 370, 540 and 542, which will lower the cost of health care and child care for members of the Michigan National Guard and their families.

“These bills reaffirm our commitment to fight for those who fight for us,” Whitmer said. “We are lowering the cost of health care and child care for members of the Michigan National Guard, ensuring they can carry out their missions to keep us all safe and provide for their families, too. I’m proud that legislators worked across the aisle to pass these commonsense bills, building on years of bipartisan progress we have made to help our National Guard balance their service and their daily lives. Let’s keep working together to make health care and child care more affordable for everyone and stay focused on getting things done that make a real difference in people’s lives.” 

Senate Bill 370, sponsored by state Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, will require the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create and operate a Tricare premium reimbursement program, lowering the cost of health care for residents who serve in the National Guard.  

Senate Bill 540, sponsored by state Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-Saint Clair Shores, will create the Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance Program  within the DMVA. The new program will help eligible Michigan National Guard members  pay for child care costs during weekend drills  or annual training.   

Senate Bill 542, sponsored by state Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, is tie-barred to SB 540 and will require the balance remaining in the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund at the end of the fiscal year to be transferred to the Michigan National Guard Member Benefits Fund.  

Last month, Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation to establish the Michigan National Guard Benefit Fund. The three bills complete the four-bill package and ensure the men and women who serve Michigan in uniform save more money and get the benefits they deserve.