MI National Guard members could see more benefits under bills on Whitmer’s desk

The bills would help guard members pay for childcare while they’re away at training or cover the premiums for their military health plans.
 
Democratic state Senator Kevin Hertel says guard members have the same day-to-day responsibilities and costs anyone else does.
 
“They take that next step, sign up for service, knowing that they're going to be away from their families or they're going to have to take time away from their jobs or their career. And that the thing that's important for me, is that when that happens, we should be doing everything we can as a state to support the things that they need.”
 
The bills would pay for the new childcare and health coverage benefits with money already set aside for a national guard tuition assistance program, which officials say has enough money to cover the changes.