The Michigan Senate advanced their chamber budgets for the upcoming fiscal year during the week of May 13. The Senate’s budget recommendations for the Department of Health and Human Services continues vital funding for Medicaid, rural and critical access hospitals, obstetrical services and the Healthy Michigan Plan. Additionally, the Senate passed budget includes funding to provide reimbursement for peer recovery coaches in the hospital setting to enhance substance use disorder services, as well as funding to support hospital achievement of Maternal Levels of Care verification through the Joint Commission.
Several MHA supported bills also moved through the committee process and onward to the governor’s desk. The House Health Policy Committee voted in favor of revising the disposal requirements for appropriately contained sharps. Senate Bill 482, sponsored by Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), allows for sharps containers to remain in use until they are ¾ filled but for no longer than 18 months from the date of first sharps disposal into the container. This is a significant revision from the current law, which requires disposal every 90 days, regardless of if the container is underutilized. The MHA is supportive of this legislation and brought this idea to the legislature following feedback from the MHA membership.
The House Tax Policy Committee voted to report House Bill (HB) 5394, sponsored by Rep. Felcia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp.). HB 5394 requires appropriate information sharing to fully effectuate the organ donor registry and implementing new policies allowing for individuals to identify themselves as an organ donor on their tax returns. The MHA supports this legislation and continues to support opportunities to improve Michigan’s organ donation processes.
In addition, the Senate approved HBs 4131, 4213, 4579 and 4580, which provide payment parity for telehealth services and protections for telemedicine access. The bills support a provider’s ability to serve patients and protect in-person visits that are vital to health outcomes. The MHA supported bills are now headed to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Members with questions may contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.