Since well before the auto no-fault reform changes were implemented on July 1, 2021, car crash victims their families, and those that provide invaluable services, spoke clearly and loudly about the inevitable crisis in reimbursement and care hour limits. Sadly, our elected officials did not listen then, and have continued to ignore hundreds of stories of real suffering and the cries of families in turmoil. There have been several viable solutions that would meet the intent of the law while protecting the service and care that thousands of Michigan citizens need and deserve.

Recently, House Speaker Jason Wentworth defied the will of the majority of his chamber by unilaterally declaring that it was “time to move on” from policy discussions that would end the crisis in care and restore the promise made to crash victims across the state, squashing any potential public debate and ultimate vote.

These inhumane and undemocratic decisions to not implement a fix by the legislative leadership will not slow down the vigorous advocacy efforts of people who care about the fate of current and future crash survivors. The time is now for elected officials who see this injustice for what it is – a political calculation in which the profits of the powerful auto insurance industry are valued over the lives of people in need – to stand up to their leaders and demand urgent action. We commend those elected officials who have done this and those that have refused will be remembered.

To ensure the crisis in care receives a prominent role in our next election, the Coalition Protecting No-Fault (CPAN), Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC), WeCan’tWait Facebook Advocacy Group, Michigan Interfaith Coalition, and members of the brain injury community along with other statewide disability advocacy groups, have agreed to collaborate and coordinate efforts heading into the 2022 primary and general elections.

Running for office takes a great deal of manpower to be successful. Candidates seek volunteers to help with many aspects of the campaign process. They rely on volunteers to help with mailings, door to door canvasing, phone calls, and many other campaign activities. There are so many ways to volunteer, with some tasks requiring only a few hours of time over the course of months. The combined efforts of volunteers make a huge difference for those running for office.

Here is where you come in.

Our collective organizations and stakeholders are assembling a bank of willing volunteers to help with campaign activities as needed throughout the election season, beginning in May through November. Volunteering is strictly optional and is your personal choice.  The Volunteer Willingness Survey included at the link below will be the tool for assembling this bank of volunteers.  During the election season candidates may request assistance with campaign tasks and we will coordinate willing volunteers.

Here is how it will work.
The survey will help us create the volunteer infrastructure. It only takes a moment to complete the 13 question Volunteer Willingness Survey so we can add you to this important bank of volunteers. When a candidate needs volunteers, we will match the needs with volunteers based on their willingness and availability.  Volunteers will be contacted about specific tasks at which time they can agree to volunteer or decline the opportunity.
 
Empowering Volunteers
We plan to make available orientation sessions by Zoom for volunteers wanting a better understanding of the roles and expectations of the various volunteer opportunities. Most importantly, we want to make sure we find a place for each and every one of you that wishes to make a difference.

We’ll need more volunteers than ever before. Think about how having elected officials that understand and support crash survivors, their families, and the providers that care or them – those impacted today and the thousands more impacted in the future, will benefit all.  We need to do all we can and we need to do it quickly.

We hope you will join us and sign-up through the volunteer survey today. Please also consider sharing this message and link with your organization, invested stakeholders, family, friends, and community members that understand the need to end the crisis in care.

Thank you,
 
Volunteer Willingness Survey Link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6WKTDZ2