State Department of Health and Human Services Addresses MHA Legislative Policy Panel
Posted on September 24, 2020
The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened its first meeting of the program year virtually Sept. 23 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.
The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from Andrea Taverna, senior adviser on opioid strategy, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Taverna discussed the Michigan Opioid Task Force’s opioid package, including proposed legislation to implement emergency department (ED)-based medication assisted treatment (MAT) statewide. The panel recommended the MHA oppose the proposed legislation as written because of its mandatory nature and the belief that the decision to offer ED-based MAT should be made on the local level. The MHA will collect feedback from members and continue to work with the MDHHS to convey concerns regarding the mandate and offer a voluntary community-based approach where individual hospitals would make the determination on the local level.
Following that discussion, the MHA provided updates on COVID-19 efforts, the state fiscal year 2021 budget, expected activities during the Legislature’s lame-duck session and the upcoming 2020 election.
For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.
Tags: MDHHS, MHA Board of Trustees, Adam Carlson, LPP, COVID-19, Steve Barnett