A variety of bills impacting hospitals were introduced and discussed in the state legislature during the week of Oct. 7.
Gov. Whitmer signed Public Act (PA) 132 of 2024, which updates statutory framework for the rural and obstetrical access pools funded in the fiscal year 2025 state budget. The MHA supports PA 132, introduced by Sen. Singh (D-East Lansing), as an additional statutory clarification to highlight the importance of funding for rural providers.
The Senate Health Policy Committee took testimony on Senate Bills (SB) 916 – 918, led by Sen. Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores). The bills would expand the availability of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in Michigan. AOT has been proven to decrease the number of individuals involved in the criminal justice system with behavioral health needs and can decrease the pressure on emergency departments for issues related to behavioral health. The bills expand the healthcare providers eligible to provide testimony for AOT and adds a new mechanism to divert individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses to AOT. The MHA supports the legislation as it awaits a vote of the full committee.
The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee took testimony on several sets of bills that impact hospitals this week. SBs 888–892, sponsored by Sen. Bayer (D-Keego Harbor), make alterations to the Identity Theft Protection Act and corresponding acts, to require certain security measures and protocols with regard to the protection of personal information from cyberattacks. The MHA worked closely with Sen. Bayer and Attorney General Dana Nessel on the ways to ensure healthcare providers and hospitals can protect patient information, while also allowing alignment with existing reporting and regulatory structures. The MHA continues to work with the sponsor and the attorney general on this legislation, and on other opportunities to support hospitals as victims of cybercrime.
The Committee also heard from proponents of SBs 1021 and 1022, which aim to expand the purview of the current Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA). The MCPA provides a broad exemption for regulated and licensed professional entities, such as healthcare professionals and hospitals. This exemption acknowledges that these highly regulated fields already have proper channels for citizens to seek remedies, when needed. SB 1021 would alter that exemption and subject otherwise regulated and licensed spaces to new lawsuits and challenges. The MHA is opposed to this legislation.
Members with questions can reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.