DIFS Director Anita Fox on House Republican Budget

Media Contact: [email protected] Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 18, 2025

(LANSING, MICH) Today, Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox released the following statement in response to the Michigan House Republicans' budget proposal.

"The budget passed by House Republicans undermines DIFS' critical mission to protect consumers and ensure that Michigan's insurance and financial services industries are safe, sound, and entitled to public confidence.

"DIFS serves as a consumer protection agency and our dedicated employees assist Michiganders every day with questions and concerns they may have about insurance and financial services. Despite the fact that DIFS is completely fee-funded and does not rely on tax dollars, this budget cuts department staff, directly impeding DIFS' ability to assist Michiganders and promises longer wait times for licenses, examinations, and other services the department provides to Michigan businesses."

Potential impacts from the House-passed budget include:

• A reduction in the department's ability to help support consumers with complaints or questions related to their insurance or financial services. DIFS' complaint process helps Michiganders navigate issues with insurance agents, insurance companies, banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions without having to go through the expense and uncertainty of legal proceeding.
• Significant proposed staffing cuts that will impede the department's ability to regulate and examine Michigan's insurance and financial services industries to ensure the financial stability of banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and other financial entities.
• Delayed support for Michigan businesses and individuals who rely on DIFS for the processing of licenses, review of transactions, and other regulatory functions.

DIFS ensures safe and secure access to insurance and financial services for all Michiganders while ensuring consumers are treated fairly and their money is safeguarded. DIFS also licenses insurance agents, insurance companies, state-chartered banks and credit unions, and other financial services companies. Our regulatory oversight is in place to ensure all Michiganders have safe and trustworthy options when looking to do business with insurance and financial services institutions. This proposed budget compromises our ability to serve Michiganders and companies that rely on DIFS.

####